World of Warcraft
Heart of the Phoenix
By Kristopher Rose
The icy wind screamed, but the lone armored man didn't shiver. For some time now cold had not affect him, it was a side effect of his condition. He was tall, standing out among the white peaks like a dark tower. Glowing blue eyes surveyed his destination, ice already building up on his leaf green hair. It was cut in the fashion of raven wings, as if the figure could turn into the bird's likeness. However for the quarry this was not to be the case, long ago the figure had lost any connection to the world that would have enabled such a transformation.
The figure saw his target, Icecrown Citadel. Finally his revenge would be had, the Lich King would pay! Mælorn the Death Knight stood, a Night Elf long from home. Originally from Mt Hyjal, Mælorn had been alive during the time of the Third War. He had fought against the Scourge, even survived long enough for Arthas to become the Lich King. Some time after that the now Death Knight had fallen, and been enthralled to the Lich King.
Memories plagued the Night elf, memories of long ago. Flashes of friends and family, a loved one, they all played through his mind as he slept. During his daydreams lost conversations whispered in his ears, and in battle the warmness of a cause coursed through his now cold heart. The Lich King had taken from him these things, had forced him to murder and kill in his name. Now Mælorn could not feel those things anymore, he felt empty. He hated the Lich King for this, wanted nothing more than to tear the abomination limb from limb. Rage, anger, hatred was all that remained, and the Night Elf seethed. There was so much more to life that he had missed, that had been stolen from him.
Mælorn jumped off his perch leading to Wintergrasp, and headed towards the wall of Icecrown Citadel. In the shadows following him was a long being, if he could see, the Night Elf would know it was not malicious. They had been following the Death Knight since he had left the battle at Wintergrasp. The oft changing stronghold was a constant battlefront for the Horde and the Alliance. Concern seemed to pour from the being, as they moved from place to place, looking like a shadowy silhouette. Mælorn had not caught on to his being followed. So the being went on following.
The Night Elf Death Knight climbed the wall, then vaulted up onto the ramparts. The undead patrolling it fell quickly, making his way into the main building clear. The massive great sword that he held felt good in his hands. It was well balanced, its edge sharp enough to skin or cleave. Oddly enough it had been a present from the Lich King, right before he had ordered Mælorn and his fellow Death Knights to raze Hearthglenn to the ground. Now he was going to use it to end the Lich King forever, and hopefully his curse.
The ramparts cleaned, the being watched the Night Elf stride confidently forward. Beneath her cowl green eyes blazed, almost glowing. Long Elf ears peaked out, and pure white hair slipped from the confines of the hood. The lithe way she moved kept her in the shadows, curiosity kept her moving forward. The shadows were her protection in this foul place, her armor. It allowed her to choose the time to attack, and the battlefield. Concern was in her eyes, and familiarity.
It was in the Blades Edge Mountains of Outland that the two had first met. The Blood Elf rogue shadowing the Night Elf Death Knight, had crossed paths. It was at the Ogre mounds that dotted the valley in the mountains. The rogue was outnumbered, one of her group had called the whole mound on top of them. She had fought well, felling six before her first companion died. Mælorn had been out hunting ogres for the Night Elf settlements in the area. They had been enlisting adventurers and mercenaries to strengthen their forces. Seeing the ogres attacking, the Death Knight has descended into the madness.
By the time the battle was ending, the rogue was finishing off the last ogre. The Death Knight sliced through his opponent, the ogre fell to the ground almost in two pieces. Blood Elf looked at Night Elf, enemies because of time and affiliation. Mælorn held his weapon down, and smiled. The Blood Elf rogue had beckoned forward, even as she could barely stand. He let out a laugh, then resheathed his sword on his back. The rogue looked surprised, but followed suit, putting her daggers away.
The rogue fell to the ground exhausted, Mælorn sat beside her. Then something wondrous for the Alliance and the Horde happened, they talked. The rogue told the Death Knight that her name was Veronya, and Mælorn recounted his time since leaving the Lich King's service. As soon as their strength returned, the two Elves, one of day and one of night, returned to their encampments. Since then they had kept running into each other, each time helping the other out. Now Veronya was following him, making sure that her friend was safe.
Mælorn disappeared, causing Veronya to pause in her tracks. Even though he had lost his connections to most of the things he held dear, shadow meld wasn't one of them. The ability was common to all Night Elves, while in the shadows or in night they could all but disappear. The Blood Elf Rogue wasn't sure why he had disappeared till she saw a malevolent and vicious looking monster walk their way.
It was an undead Vrykul, the giant men like beings that originally inhabited Northrend before the Sundering. Now they served the Lich King in undeath, foolishly thinking that he would bring them salvation. They served him as an extension of their Death God, both made Mælorn snarl. Anyone that served death over life was worse than an imbecile. Even with his current state, he yearned to feel life's warm touch.
Mælorn was here for the Lich King, and if these foolish Vrykuls wanted to worship death, he would give it to them! The Night Elf Death Knight launched out after the Vrykul, catching it off guard. His great sword sliced down hitting the undead in the chest, the beast roared and brought its own weapon up. The Vrykul tried to demolish the smaller foe, only to find it had already lost the battle. The beast fell, and Mælorn stood over it, the victor but not satisfied.
The Death Knight did not see the second Vrykul coming up from behind, it was patrolling along the opposite ramparts. It had seen the fight and was now running towards the Death Knight. Luckily for this Night Elf, Veronya had been shadowing him. A garrote line in her hands, she deftly snuck up behind the beast and jumped. Her line expertly found its way around the neck of the Vrykul, and she anchored her feet into the beast's back. Now with the line securely fastened, she pulled using her body's full might. If the Vrykul had been alive, it would have been choking. Instead its neck nearly tore from its body. The Vrykul managed to throw the Blood Elf off its back, sending the rogue tumbling through the air.
Veronya agilely twisted in mid air, landing with grace. She went down to one knee, and her left hand helped distribute her weight out. This allowed her to get back to her feet and rush back at the Vrykul. The beast brought its massive blade, more like a salvaged jagged piece of metal than sword, down where she was. It's massive and powerful blow missed her, she had moved at the last second. Now close in to it, her daggers would deal their damage. She slashed out, bringing her daggers crisscrossing through the Vrykul's exposed midsection, then she ducked out of the way as the massive undead fell forward.
Back in the shadows, she saw Mælorn hadn't noticed the fight, and was pacing back and forth. She wasn't sure why, Veronya decided to wait and see. Out of habit she moved from the corpse of the undead she had slain. The rogue moved through the shadows so that she could see Mælorn, and be near enough if he needed help. Now all she had to do was wait and see.
Mælorn was waiting, the Lich King would notice his sentries being gone. The Death Knight hadn't tried to be secretive, he wanted the Lich King to come for him. The fact that he wasn't was angering the Night Elf. Mælorn paced back and forth, his sword swinging with the line of his arm. He shouldn't have been impatient.
A loud groan of metal, sounding more like a thousand wails of the departed, flowed through the sky. Doors leading into Icecrown Citadel opened up and a figured clad in black armor strode out. Blue glowing eyes under the helm marked him as a Death Knight. Frostmourne, the cursed rune blade in his hand marked him as the Lich King. He walked with the knowledge that no person on Azeroth could defeat him, and that soon it would all be his. Then he could remake this world in the face of death, the fools who fought for their lives were doomed to failure.
"Come to rejoin the Scourge Mælorn?" the rumbling unnatural voice boomed.
The Night Elf Death Knight went to the guard position, "I have come for what is mine, and to end this curse."
"Imbecile," Arthas the Lich King mocked, "I offer you immortality and the power unchecked, and all you want is to be one of these weak sheep?"
"I will retake what is mine," Mælorn said as he rushed at the Lich King, "and take my revenge!"
Mælorn slashed out with his great sword, knowing that it would be blocked. As Frostmourne blocked the strike, the Night Elf kicked out with his left foot. The blow connected up to the armor of the Lich King, and it felt like he had kicked a stone wall. The return blow didn't feel much better. The Lich King had responded by not cutting him down, but rather punching Mælorn, sending the Night Elf flying backwards. He landed only to throw a death coil spell at the Lich King. Deftly for a man his size, the man who used to be Arthas dodged it. His return volley sent Mælorn on his backside. The Night Elf Death Knight was scrambling for his feet, when Frostmourne nearly skewered him to the stone below. The cursed rune blade skittered across Mælorn's armor, slicing through it to the flesh beneath.
Mælorn cursed, this was not how he had seen the fight going. He wasn't defeated yet though. Using all the agility he could muster in heavy armor, the Night Elf rolled up and swiped at the chink in the Lich King's armor. His blade hit right behind the knee, where most any armor was its lightest. He was rewarded with a grunt from his opponent, and then was lifted up as if he weighed nothing. Face to face with the Lich King, Mælorn couldn't ready anything on that face hidden beneath cold metal. A head butt introduced Mælorn to the helmet of the Lich King further. The next thing the Night Elf Death Knight knew, he was flying through the air, evil laughter the music as he fell crashing back to the stone.
Arthas, the Lich King was on the now helpless Night Elf Death Knight. He was punishing the defiant one for his audacity. This being thought he could just come into this realm and expect to easily defeat one such as the Lich King. Arthas would teach him the error of his ways, and then when he had broken the Night Elf, make him his servant once more. All in all this would be an amusing distraction, one to pass the time till more of the mortals came to destroy him. Arthas lifted the beaten body of Mælorn, his armor dented and destroyed, barely salvageable now.
Veronya had seen the fight, and was shocked beyond belief. Mælorn had fought alongside her through many hard times, had taken on multiple adversaries without ever once being beaten. She had seen him take on Ogres, demons, powerful sorcerers and giants. Not once however has she seen him so soundly defeated, and there was something awful in seeing him being toyed with by the Lich King. His features were twisted in pain and agony, and there was blood on the corner of his lips. It was heartbreaking, to be more matter of fact, it was breaking her heart. Somewhere in their random meetings and travels, she had grown fond of the Night Elf.
The Lich King held Mælorn up, choking him, when he felt the daggers tear through his armor. He dropped the Death Knight, and pulled the rogue off his back, so the fool had brought friends! The daggers had not penetrated far, just barely enough to draw his attention away. Arthas was impressed as the rogue jumped off his back and began her attack anew. Immediately the Lich King knew he was dealing with a Blood Elf. The white hair, green eyes that seemed to glow and long ears marked the rogue as one. Crisscrossing her dagger attacks, she tried to find the chinks in his armor.
Frostmourne was a very fast blade, but two daggers could be wielded faster than any sword could parry and block all the attacks. He didn't need to though, as he blocked or parried with Frostmourne, he used his gauntlet for the off hand attack that came at him. The rogue was good, but not enough to stop him. As she attacked he waited for the pattern to her strikes to develop, and sure enough he found it. As she finished with one combo, getting ready to attempt another, he attacked. She had been trying anything to stop this monster, anything to save Mælorn.
She was not expecting the blunt side of the sword to come crashing into her head out of nowhere. Taking it in stride she raised her daggers as Frostmourne came down in a cleaving motion. The crossed blades caught the sword, but also drove Veronya to her knees. He was vastly stronger than her, and he exploited it by holding her down with his sword. Not being able to move, Veronya also couldn't get out of the way as he kicked out with his armored boot. The wind was knocked out of the rogue, and she knew she was in trouble.
Mælorn came to from the darkness to see the Lich King standing over Veronya. Questions sprang into his mind as to how she had gotten here, but decided that would have to wait till later. He looked upon horror unknown to him till now, Veronya was defenseless and Frostmourne was poised above her chest. The Lich King Arthas had her at his mercy, and Mælorn could not get to his feet. They were still shaky from the beating that he had received. He still had one more trick, he called forth his undead minion, a ghoul by the name of "Bones."
When he had been enthralled by the Lich King, he had learned to summon ghouls from the earth. It did not matter where he was, the ghoul would pop out of the ground and assist him. It is said that the ghoul takes on personality from its master, a malicious one would summon a savagely hungry ghoul that knew no satiation. Mælorn had named his ghoul Bones, he wasn't sure why, just seemed like a good name. Every time he had called the ghoul, the undead would come into fruition, but it wasn't savage, hungry or murderous. It seemed to take wonder in the flowers it picked with its nonliving hands. Bones would cock its head back and forth, like a curious dog would when looking at its Night Elf master.
Bones was giving him that same curious look now, "Yesss master?"
"Help Veronya," Mælorn could barely say, it hurt to breath, much less talk.
The ghoul turned and its eyes widened in shock, "Veeeronya!" Then back to it's master, "Bones help Mæl and Veeeronya. Boness make you proud…"
With that the ghoul ran off towards the Lich King. Arthas stabbed Veronya, his blade just going in deep enough to hit the bone in her shoulder. Her cry of agony was music to his ears. He twisted the blade just a bit, smiling as this brought more screams from the prone Elf. He could see tears forming in her eyes, the pain was so much she could only cry and moan now. Arthas knew that soon he could do whatever he liked and she would beg for death.
"You no hurt her!" came a scream from behind.
Arthas had only a moment to turn before a ghoul slammed into him. It was no threat to him, if a Death Knight could not hurt him, what could a simple ghoul do? He brought his blade to bear and pushed back the Ghoul. It's beady black eyes were locked on his. The Lich King attacked it, and yet the ghoul was deceptively agile. It kept dodging all his attacks, yet he was death incarnate, he would not stop. Arthas went after the ghoul, chasing it to the closest part of the ramparts, below he could see his Scourge preparing their forces for the mortals they would soon face. Then the ghoul did something unexpected, it ran up to the Lich King, grabbing him in a bear hug.
Bones looked at Mælorn and said a final farewell, "Love, Mæl, been good master. Take care of Veeeronya."
Then Bones, the ghoul exploded. It was an ability the ghouls had, something to be used against the living. Mælorn had never used it, had always just called Bones in to aid him from time to time. Now the ghoul had activated it by itself, and the explosion caused the Lich King to be thrown off the ramparts. He landed heavily on the ground below, on his feet. Looking up, he bellowed a roar of frustration. Then called for his charger, his undead steed to go after the impudent Night Elf and his Blood Elf friend.
With the Lich King thrown off the ramparts, Mælorn made it to his feet. A sense of loss came over him, Bones had sacrificed itself for him, to save him and Veronya. He could not dwell on it, but the feeling was there, making his heart heavy. He rushed over to the fallen rogue, and immediately wished he could remember any healing spells from his life, or what Kelon had told him about first aid. The wound was deep and nasty looking, her lifeblood oozing out of her very fast. Already around the gouge, her skin was graying and looking lifeless. Reaching into her bag, he found a cloth bandage, and immediately put it over her wound. He would not have much more time, he heard Arthas' dread steed being summoned into existence.
Not wasting time, he called for Shade, his own charger. The ebon black horse with glowing fire like hooves trotted up to him. Picking up Veronya gingerly, and fighting through the crippling pain in his sides, he put her into the saddle. Then he too was in the saddle, right behind her. He kicked the charger forward, and Shade galloped off. He wanted to go slow, to keep Veronya from being jostled too much, causing her pain. Yet Mælorn knew that the Lich King would be right on their heels.
His path led him from the ramparts, down onto the ground, and dodging Scourge forces. He wasn't worried though, not a one managed to get close enough to grab him. Adrenaline was still pumping into his system, causing his pain to all but go away. Still his elven ears heard the galloping hooves of the Lich King right behind him. To throw the off their pursuer, Mælorn headed into the mountains. He took paths he had scouted previously, trying to shake the Lich King. It only succeeded in distancing the pursuer away from them.
Shade's pace kept them ahead, and as time wore on, the mountains disappeared. In their place the Crystalsong Forest came into view. A shimmering valley that had trees and plants that seemed to be made from crystals sprang forth. The light from the sun, hidden in Icecrown, now made the forest sparkle like thousands of tiny lights. It was a beautiful sight, and one that Dranyon or Kelon, would have liked. However the Death Knight could not stop and enjoy the sights as his patron and his friend would advise. To stop now would be death for him and Veronya. The thought of Bones again crept into Mælorn's mind.
"You can not escape me!" the Lich King bellowed, then used his powers to pull Mælorn off his charger.
The Night Elf fell to the ground hard, the pain resurging through his body. Veronya fell off as well, and the slight moan she let out was the only thing letting anyone know that she still lived. Off in the distance Mælorn could see the outline of Dalaran, he was so close, yet so far away from hope. The shadow of doom that was the Lich King blocked that view. Frostmourne was just inches from his face, and he knew he was done for. What hurt the most was not that he had failed to end his curse, but that Veronya would die because of his failure. He looked over at her, realizing how fragile she looked. Her eyes were closed, either in shock from her wound, or slowly dying. The bandage he had applied had fallen off, and blood flowed freely. Mælorn looked back up at his doom, at the Lich King, and at that point saw come into view a flying airship.
The Valkerie had been coming to Dalaran to resupply when Cammy had rushed up onto deck. She said that a very dark presence was in Crystalsong Forest. Kelon knew that the only thing that could trigger that in a paladin so far way, was the Lich King himself. Setting a new course, he handed the controls over to Sunfire. His Elven eyes could see farther than her human ones. Cammy joined him, even though she was human, her armored goggles allowed her to see as far as he could, and farther. They both saw the Lich King chasing after another figure. Shouting instructions, he had Sunfire aim towards where the chase was headed.
Nylak came up on deck, and was watching as Kelon directed where to point the Valkerie. Knowing that this look the Night Elf hunter had meant battle was near, he started to arm the ship's cannons. Sunfire meanwhile touched a button near the helm controls of the airship. It sent up a magical flare, this one would call for reinforcements to any that saw it, and also contacted the twin device on the other ship. She was rewarded as another ship appeared out of the sky. This ship looked like a wooden battleship being suspended by two massive and long balloons.
The second ship was the Windrunner, and it was piloted by Æryn, a dranei warrior. Beside her was Æsthr, and he waved to the mage at the helm of the Valkerie. Coming up from below decks was the creator of the Windrunner, Dranyon. Behind him was Chenserig, a Dwarf Death Knight. Dranyon was a shaman, and just happened to be the patron of Mælorn. In this case it meant that Dranyon made sure that the Death Knight didn't do anything wrong, and would be held responsible by the Alliance for anything Mælorn did. That withstanding, the two had created a friendship. The only rankle was that Mælorn did not like Kelon. It didn't make any sense, they were both Night Elves, but the Death Knight just did not like the hunter.
As the new ship came alongside the other, both crews saw below them the chased figure fall. A second figure fell off the horse as well, but this on wasn't moving. The Lich King, even from up in the sky he was unmistakable, strode up to his fallen prey. If something was not done soon, he would pounce, ending his quarry once and for all. They could not allow that to happen. Yet they also could not use their ships' weapons to fire, a cannon ball was just not accurate enough to hit only the Lich King. So they would have to go in by land.
"Sunfire," Kelon said as he rushed below decks, "I want you to cast your Slow fall spell on me."
"You want me to do what?!" said the shocked mage. Though now that she thought about it, it wasn't the craziest thing he had done.
As he came back up, with him was his new Mekingeer Chopper, something Cammy had made for him after learning the plans from anther engineer. Rolling the two wheeled mechanical device towards the side, he placed a sturdy plank lead up the side of the ship. He climbed onto the wheeled device and started its engine, which purred like a mechanical panther.
Sunfire cast the spell, "Be careful my love."
"Always," Kelon said.
Then he gunned the engine, sending the chopper roaring towards the plank. It climbed up the incline, jetting into the air. Night Elf and machine dropped to the ground, but not at the standard rate. No he all but drifted down, and when he landed it was only with the briefest of touches. Once again he pulled back on the throttle, and the chopper replied by sending him flying across the ground. The two wheels, one in front, the other in the rear, spun fiercely. Ahead of him, Kelon's target came into view rapidly. Lining up his quarry, the hunter drew his left handed blade.
The Lich King heard the rumble, but only turned briefly to see what pest would be coming his way. With shock, something cut through his leg armor, right behind the knee. The same place the Night Elf Death Knight had attacked earlier. Howling in pain he turned to see Kelon. Recognition struck the Lick King immediately, this Night Elf had been the one with the poisoned arrows. This Night Elf had to die.
Kelon rode the chopper around, taking another running slice at the Lich King. Now with him expecting the Night Elf, Arthas dodged the attack. However the hunter had an idea, he once again made another go, this time throwing out an explosive trap that he kept in his back belt strap. The trap came into existence right under the Lich King. It exploded under the armored man, sending a deafening roar and piercing light all around. The howl from the Lich King was Kelon's only chance. He looked to the distance, already the Valkerie had touched down.
Whistling, Kelon called for Xaon, his nightsaber. The big cat jumped over the railing of the airship, and sped over to the Night Elf on the Mekingeer Chopper. The hunter could not waste time, instead he relied on his bond with Xaon. His chopper roaring as it sped him towards the now spent trap, he aimed squarely for the Lich King. Meanwhile the nightsaber had found Mælorn and pulled the injured Night Elf away from the fight. Kelon had to time this just right, the Lich King would not fall for the same thing twice.
Kelon let loose of the accelerator, allowing his chopper to slow down. He waited for the Lich King to close the distance, then for the beheading slash that would come. Arthas, the Lich King, did not disappoint. Running full steam, like a mad bull, he flung Frostmourne out to cleave Kelon from his head. That was the opening the hunter had been looking for, he bent over, face on top of the handlebars. The accelerator was turned all the way back, and the chopper practically flew across the ground as it gained instant speed.
The blow meant to kill Kelon missed him by mere inches, the twirling torrents of air left by the blow still tingled on his skin. It had been worth it though, Mælorn was now safe, the Lich King was furious, and Kelon had led him away from the second figure he had seen. Now Kelon could fight on his terms, and he knew that his friends were on their way. He dismounted, then pulled his two swords out. Recently he had only been fighting with his bow, but he could not afford a stray arrow to hit anyone coming up to aid him. Still he was a good swordsman, as a Tauren shaman so long ago had found out the hard way.
"Now that you are properly warmed up," Kelon jeered at the Lich King, "why don't we see if you are all bark or bite."
"Humor is the futile attempt of the imbecile to show intelligence," Arthas replied, his stride bringing him closer to Kelon. "I will enjoy relieving this world of impetuousness!"
The Night Elf hunter and the human Death Knight ruler came at each other with a thunderclap of action. Kelon's two swords twirled and glistened in the sunlight, the Lich King's sword glowed menacingly. The two could not be more different, one was about speed and agility, the other power and heavy armor. Kelon's only chance would be to find the chinks in the Lich King's armor. All the Lich King had to do was cleave Kelon in two, and the battle would be over. The hunter wasn't going to let that happen.
Kelon's right hand sword came straight at Arthas, his left hand sword was already curving upward for his second strike. His opponent brought his left arm gauntlet up to parry the blow, leaving a chink of armor exposed under his arm. That was where Kelon's left hand strike hit. Steel penetrated through the chink, the cloth underneath it, to stab paled skin.
Furiously the Lich King stepped back, then eyes narrowed as he charged the hunter. He swung his sword down hard at the Night Elf, to which the hunter dodged. Then bringing Frostmourne around in a one handed grip, Arthas sliced out to the side. This time Kelon didn't move fast enough, steel slid against chain mail armor. The attack didn't cut through armor, but it did shock Kelon enough that he did another misstep. This time it allowed the Lich King to close the distance. The ruler of Icecrown grabbed Kelon by the throat and lifted him up into the air.
What Arthas was not expecting however was to have Kelon not give up. Even as the Lich King was choking off the hunter's air supply, Kelon's mind was racing. He kicked out, but all his kicks were hitting the armor of Arthas. That wasn't going to work, still he had one more thing to try before the darkness came. Using all his remaining might, he stabbed with his two swords. He aimed one at the face of Arthas' helmet, the other right below it at the neck. The stab to the helm worked, and Arthas howled in pain as he released Kelon.
The Night Elf hunter fell to the ground, wheezing as his lungs tried to regain air. He knew he had to move, but his body was not responding, still too air deprived. Arthas had thrown off his helmet, and a torn bit of flesh now hung down across his face. With all his rage he kicked the prone hunter, sending Kelon flying away. The hunter's fall and trip were cut short by a tree, and a snapping sound that came from his side. Kelon managed to his feet, excruciating pain shot up and down his injured side. Molten metal was being poured into his bones, or at least that is what it felt like. He would finish this fight though, pain or no, the Lich King was going down!
"So hero," Arthas goaded, the flap of skin still hanging down his face, "how does it feel to face death all alone? To know that your insignificant life will be for naught?"
"He's never alone you monster!" came a voice from behind the Lich King, right before a fireball impacted his armor.
Arthas turned to see Sunfire, her robes flowing in the wind. Beside her was Xaon, who growled at the sight of the Lich King. He started toward her when another fireball hit him, then a frostfire bolt. She had learned to take her frost bolt and fireball spells into one, making a super spell that made it harder to defend. The spells hit, causing the Lich King to falter, but not stop. He unleashed a freezing wind attack that sent Sunfire sprawling. She managed to get to her feet again, casting an instant fire blast spell. Arthas smiled, this one had spunk.
"Sorry we are late Kelon," Dranyon said as he and the rest of the Windrunner crew came into view. "Mind if we share in the fun?"
Cammy, Nylak, and the druid Sil were next, and Cammy answered, "Only if you mind sharing with us."
Æsthr just grinned from ear to ear, "Then let's do this! Leeeeroy Jeeeenkins!"
Beside him Æryn shook her head, but charged forth with him. Both groups converged on the Lich King. Æsthr ran straight up to Lich King feinted with his sword, and caught Frostmourne on his shield. With that distraction up, Æryn came up from the side and attacked with her mace and sword on the now exposed right side. Both blows hit their mark, and she had mere milliseconds to move before Arthas counterattacked. However before he could do that, Chenserig attacked him from behind, burying his axe into the back armor of the Lich King. Nylak however brought his own axe in an upward swing, digging into the left side armor of Arthas.
The Lich King was not defeated yet, and they were showing themselves to be a threat to him. A howling blast wave erupted as Arthas cast the spell, throwing the attackers away. For his trouble he caught a druidic wrath spell square in the chest, before he could focus on that one, Cammy the paladin attacked. Her two handed mace was only barley stopped by Frostmourne's block. Dranyon however was standing back, casting spells. It dawned on the Lich King, his enemies were helping each other, Cammy and Dranyon had been healing the others as they attacked. These warriors were tricky indeed.
Sunfire had ran over to Kelon's side, the hunter was heavily leaning on the same tree he had smashed into. Gingerly she put her hands on him, and he raised his head to look at her, a smile plastered across his face. She instantly breathed a sigh of relief he was going to be alright. Xaon was right by his side as usual, and she reached into his pack. There she found his supply of frost weave bandages, immediately she started to wrap his injured ribs. That is when it all went south.
Tired of the fight already, and just a bit fearful, Arthas the Lich King called forth an army of undead. Ghouls, zombies and gargoyles sprang out of the earth and air. They came rushing into the attackers, cutting them off from one another. This gave the Lich King room to breath and he moved away from the fighters. Then he opened up a death gate, allowing more of his Scourge forces to come through. Stepping through gate were fifty Scourge, of which five were Death Knights.
The new arrivals marched towards the combined crews of the Valkerie and the Windrunner. Warriors, shamans, druids, paladins and Death Knights all fought valiantly. Kelon the hunter and Sunfire the mage both saw that they were outnumbered, and didn't have enough room to employ tactics to suppress that. Something had to be done, and Kelon had an idea.
"We need to get to the ship, we can bring its cannons to bear on the Scourge," Kelon said.
This time it was Sunfire's turn to stun him, "Then get to the ship my love, I'll help our friends fend them off till you come back."
Kelon looked at her, saw the fear in her eyes, but also the determination. She was his equal, just as brave, just as courageous. Its why he loved her, and why he always worried about losing her. He also knew that he wouldn't win the argument, and that while they argued his friends would die, so he didn't. Even with his busted ribs, which the frost weave bandages were helping, he sprinted back to his Mekingeer Chopper. When he got to it a bronze drake was just landing, it was Trinza.
"Kelon, Rhonin of Dalaran just advised me that you were in trouble," said Trinza as she morphed into her half-elven form.
"Nothing we can't handle," joked Kelon, that is when he noticed the injured Blood Elf still farther away. "Trinza I need you to get that Elf back to the Valkerie, watch her."
"What about you?" Trinza asked.
Kelon waved her off, "I'm fine, get her to the ship. I'll be right there shortly."
Trinza returned to her dragon shape, flew over to the still unconscious Blood Elf, and flew off with her. Kelon got onto his chopper, turned the engine on and rode towards Mælorn. The Night Elf Death Knight was still a little loopy, but was coherent as Kelon stopped beside him. The hunter made sure that he was on his feet, then got back onto the chopper, Mælorn sitting right behind him. Once again Kelon was speeding across Crystalsong Forest. He found the ships right where he had known they would be. This clearing was the only place besides near Dalaran, that they could have landed at. The floating city above sat poised like a regal monument.
Kelon wished he had time to view and remark on the beauty of the floating Dalaran, but he didn't. Speeding up the side ramp of the Valkerie, he immediately restarted its engines. His chopper was still on the deck where he had stopped it at. Mælorn had followed his instructions and was beginning the lift off for the Windrunner. Trinza reappeared in her half-elven form. In this form she reminded him of the best of both human and Elf beauty. She pushed his chopper into the hold again, then reappeared beside him as the Valkerie lifted off.
Back with the two crews of the airships, the battle was going as well as it could being outnumbered. Already Æryn and Æsthr had taken down six undead each, Sil was on her fourth. Nylak and Chenserig both were on their sixth, having killed five each. Cammy though had been helping Dranyon heal, to keep the warriors up. She knew they couldn't keep this up forever. So it was with dismay when she saw the death gate remain open and more Scourge walk through. This had to stop. Apparently Dranyon had the same idea.
"Lich King! You face me now," Dranyon the shaman said. "At the end of this day one will stand, one will fall!"
With that the shaman reached for his mace and axe, rushing at the Lich King. It caught the Scourge forces off guard for a moment, divided between protecting their king and annihilating his enemies. Dranyon was a pure force of nature against the Lich King's force of death. His storm strike attack, an attack that charged both his weapons, hit squarely home as both weapons struck the armor of the Lich King. The electrical charge coursed through Arthas, and he replied with a hard swipe from Frostmourne. The two went after one another with a vehemence unknown till that day. Dranyon took a couple of hits, blood flowed from cuts and lacerations. The Lich King's armor was dented, and black coagulated blood seeped out of stabs and from the cut Kelon had given him earlier.
Neither were showing signs of letting up, this would be a fight to the finish. The battle around them was raging in the same manner. Both Dranei warriors, Æsthr and Æryn were bleeding from some lucky hits, Sil in her owlkin form had matted fur and feathers. Nylak and Chenserig, the two Death Knights, were holding up, but their armor was in shambles. Sunfire was still standing but barely. She had been spell casting with such a ferocity it was sapping her strength faster than she could recollect it, but she did not stop. They were in a bad way, and each was looking for an avenue of escape, Sunfire was hoping against hope Kelon would arrive soon.
Explosions rocked the landscape as cannon fired rained down from the sky. All the fighters looked up to the Valkerie swooping in from the sky, its propellers driving it forward like the mythical warrior it was named after. The forward cannons were belching flame and iron cannonballs. The ship turned and its left side drooped as Kelon masterfully worked the propeller controls keeping the ship up. With the deck and the cannons now pointed at an angle, Trinza followed his command to open up a full broadside. Ghouls, zombies flew up into the air as the shots hit the ground them. Gargoyles were blown apart, their remains falling to the ground with a thud.
While the Valkerie pounded away at the Scourge, the Windrunner came in behind it. Mælorn guided the ship right over his friends. Throwing down the rope ladder they used in emergencies, the Night Elf then ran below deck. Finding Dranyon's cabin, he rushed into the shaman's storage area. There he found what he was looking for, two boxes of saronite bombs. The shaman was a very good engineer, and due to the state of war with the Lich King, had been stockpiling explosives. Rushing back to the deck, Mælorn saw his crew climbing up the ladder. The Scourge were trying to get to them, the Night Elf Death Knight was not going to allow that to happen. He dumped one whole box on the undead.
Like little rain droplets the bombs dropped, and exploded on ghouls, zombies, and the ground. Destruction spread among their ranks, it gave the warriors enough time to climb up the rope ladder. The Valkerie meanwhile had stopped its barrage enough to allow its own crew to climb up. The only ones left on the ground were Dranyon and Cammy.
Dranyon saw his people leaving, knew it was time to finish this. The Lich King was not going along with that plan, he was still coming strong. His strength was unabated, but Dranyon's was. Now that his family was out of danger, he was losing energy. Soon he wouldn't be able to lift his weapons, hopefully he wouldn't have to worry about that for long. Taking a charge from his belt, it was a goblin sapper charge, he once more rushed over to the Lich King. Instead of attacking, he grabbed the arms of the Arthas, holding them to the side as the charge exploded.
Dranyon had armed the charge as he had gone after Arthas, felt the warm cocoon of Cammy's Hand of Protection spell. When the charge exploded, it sent the Lich King, the Scourge around him, and Dranyon flying. Because of Cammy's protection spell, most of the damage was blocked. The shaman would be sore in the morning though, that was for sure. As for the Lich King, for what seemed to be the first time since the Northrend Expeditions started, looked hurt. His armor was destroyed, his face was blackened and burned, and Frostmourne for the briefest of moments was not in his grasp.
Cammy was right over Dranyon, daring any of the Scourge to come near the shaman. Already Arthas as attempting to get back up, but was having trouble doing so. Dranyon was still senseless, but at least he was still breathing. A Scourge zombie came close and Cammy's mace ended its existence. She pulled the shaman up, helping him back onto his hoofed feet. He still leaned heavily on her, not too sure back on his own feet. They had taken too long though, the Scourge weren't coming any sooner, but they had encircled the two.
"That was a delightful trick shaman," the Lich King growled, "now you will be my servants."
"Not today your highness," came the voice of Kelon.
He swooped in on Trinza's back, she was flying him straight into battle. On the hunter's back was his quiver of poisoned arrows. One of those arrows was knocked in his bow, and ready to fire. The hunter took careful aim, waiting till the last second and sent the arrow flying. Like a true hawk, the missile glided through the air. It found its mark, a shot even Kelon was proud of. Arthas howled in pain, in his right eye was an arrow, and he could not pull it out.
Kelon turned Trinza around, swooping down to pick up Dranyon and Cammy. The bronze drake picked both up in her front claws on the first go. Then she flew up to the two airships, dropping Cammy on the Valkerie and Dranyon on the Windrunner. A primal scream echoed through forest. Arthas had dislodged the arrow. Kelon was still too concerned to getting his people out to worry about the Lich King. Trinza hovered above his airship, allowing him to slip off and onto the deck. Only then did he look back to see Arthas, the Lich King swoon on his feet and fall. The Scourge around him started to carry their fallen king back to Icecrown. All the Scourge began to shrink back away, back to their frozen fortress.
The two airships too began their retreat, heading to the floating city of Dalaran. As the Scourge disappeared, Kelon felt all of his strength drain, and fell to the deck. Cammy took over the helm from Sunfire as she rushed over to the hunter. Even dog tired he gave her the goofiest smile. She shouldered his weight, being helped by Nylak as they drug the Night Elf down to his cabin. Trinza was back in her Half-Elven form, and was standing vigil over the Blood Elf in the medical bay. The bronze drake didn't trust her yet, and she was going to watch the Elf.
Cammy and Dranyon began the administering to the wounded members of their crew. Æryn had given the controls of the Windrunner over to Æsthr as she went down to help her brother. Chenresig seemed to be fine, but Mælorn was still in great amount of pain. Back on the Valkerie, Kelon was being treated by Cammy. His frost weave bandages had already partially healed his broken ribs from earlier, now her Light powered healing spells finished the job. He was still sore, nothing could be done for that, but he was whole. Then looking at the ragged paladin he ordered her to heal herself and get some rest.
The hunter went down to the medical bay, where he looked over the Blood Elf rogue. He bandaged her back up, changing the filthy ones from the fight. The wound had quit bleeding, and Sil's healing spells had closed it. The infection still remained from the Lich King's blade. Frostmourne corrupted and killed all it made contact with, and even with her skin reforming the grayed dead area was still present. It was just waiting for a chance to spread. Kelon looked over at Sill, she was exhausted, so he had her too go rest.
Back on the bridge of the Valkerie, Sunfire brought the air ship parallel to the Windrunner. Both airships sailed the wind towards Dalaran, there they would find help and supplies. The days events replayed in her mind, it could have been much worse. Yet again she was amazed by her new friends. If it hadn't been for the crew of the Windrunner, and Kelon's own amazing will, the fight would have been deadly to her little family. Sil, Cammy, Nylak and when Colyn was around, weren't related to her by blood, but they were her family now. Dranyon had been part of that little family, even after he disappeared. Now that he had been returned, he had brought his family back with him. His sister, her fiance, their Dwarf friend and Mælorn felt like extended family now to her.
The mage looked over at the Dranei warrior, Æsthr piloting his air ship into berth around Dalaran. Both airships took up positions around the Sewer exits of the flying city. The only place in the floating urban complex that the two airships could safely dock and bring on supplies. It was not the best place to go for smells, the sewers were filthy and disgusting like any other. Still the people of Dalaran had adapted to the airships, a wooden pier had been built into the sides of the city. It made it easier now for the Valkerie and the Windrunner to dock.
With the two airships docked in, their respective crews disembarked for reloading. Trinza remained on the Valkerie to watch over the Blood Elf. Mælorn joined her, worried about Veronya. The dragon watched with a watchful stare, but said nothing to the Night Elf Death Knight. Veronya was looking better, her breathing more regular than it had been after being stabbed. She hadn't woken up yet, but Mælorn didn't mind, just as long as she got better. So he continued with his vigil.
Sunfire and Kelon were talking with Rhonin, the mage lord of Dalaran. Beside the human mage stood his wife Vereesa Windrunner. She was a High Elf, the original race the Blood Elves had been before they had started to feasting on Demonic Energy. Her blue glowing eyes were soft, but one got the impression they could be hard as stone when you crossed her. Rhonin had a similar feel, and his red hair was just a tad lighter than Sunfire's. Standing in front of this human, it would seem that he had the power on par with Khadgar. The old apprentice of Medivh brought back good memories to Kelon, he had run into the mage in Shattrath City, in Outland.
"So you tell us that you actually wounded the Lich King?" asked Vereesa in her melodic voice.
Kelon nodded, "The combination of our two groups, I was able to injure him with an arrow to his right eye."
"That shot was one in a million," Rhonin said quietly, "how sure are you that he is hurt?"
"He was drug back to Icecrown by his Scourge," Sunfire answered for Kelon, "he didn't leave the battle under his own power."
Both mage and ranger exchanged glances before Rhonin spoke again, "That is amazing! Do you think that the wound may prove fatal?"
Kelon shook his head, "That would be too easy an end for one such as him. No, he is down and hurt, but that'll make him more dangerous. I fear all we have done is buy some time, and then more pain."
Veressa approached the Night Elf hunter, and bowed, "That is more than we had before, I will go tell our Argent Crusade people so we can capitalize on this event. As for you Kelon the Hunter, you have my deepest thanks and respect."
Rhonin placed a hand on Kelon's shoulder, "Mine as well, you and your crews are welcome to rest here and our resources are at our disposal."
"If you don't mind, my druid friend and I would like to take a look at your library," Sunfire related.
Rhonin gave her the mischievous grin that had earned him the ire of his teachers early in his career, "I'll let Alfred Coppersworth know then, he is our caretaker. He'll show you around and you'll be given access to anything you need."
"Thank you Lord Rhonin," Sunfire said, then she left to grab Sil.
Kelon left the Violet Citadel and began to wander around Dalaran. It was a magnificent city of splendor. High gleaming towers and spires sprung up like flowers in spring. The stonework polished so that it reflected the sunlight, filling the city up like it was beset with stars day and night. The roads in the city were built smooth and elegant, as if they were formed with the city as it was created. Shops dotted all along the circular street, inside vast wonders were for sale. Everything from magic spells, potions, elixirs and as more recent concerns pervaded, articles of war.
Stopping in a recently added chain mail store, Kelon looked over the latest armor being made in Azeroth. The most recent set made for the gladiators fighting in the arenas. It was made for increased protection, while not skimping on the fighter's movement. Kelon as a leatherworker, could craft some chain mail armor when necessary, and appraised the work with a knowing eye. It was a fine piece of work, a master craftsman definitely worked on this set.
Back on the Valkerie, Trinza had cast an invisibility spell on herself. She was giving the Night Elf Death Knight and the Blood Elf rogue some space. She would be within ear and eye shot of the medical bay, but they couldn't see her. This would give the two a bit of privacy, while placating the dragon's need for vigilance. Let them have their peace, she would have hers.
Mælorn sat holding Veronya's hand, so small and warm. The Death Knight knew those hands were deadly with a garrotte or dagger in them. Now though they lay motionless, as Veronya was still recovering. Mælorn cursed his own actions, if only he hadn't gone after the Lich King. Now along with the agonizing pain he felt from his own wounds, a deep and unabated self loathing was creeping in. He could not forgive himself for her current state. Before the self loathing could take effect, the Blood Elf breathed in deeply and opened her eyes.
The first thing she did was scream as memories came flooding back. She reached for her shoulder where Arthas had stabbed her, and felt the wound there. It hurt like a billion fires when she ran her fingertips across it. She noticed that her wound was bandaged up, and she was out of her leather armor, in its places was a cloth tunic and britches. She almost started when a purple skinned hand touched her, till she saw the green raven styled hair of Mælorn. Then she instantly embraced him, even as her shoulder exploded in pain.
"Mæl," Veronya asked on edge, "where are we?"
Still holding on to her, the Night Elf answered, "On Kelon's ship, the Valkerie. He and his people found us and brought you here." Then adding in as she saw her look of alarm, "You'll be safe here. We need to get you better."
"I'm Horde, Mælorn!" Veronya exclaimed, like the Death Knight could forget. "After the Wrathgate he's more likely to kill me than help me."
Mælorn sighed, he hated what he was saying, he really didn't like Kelon, "The hunter is too much of a goody two shoes. He won't harm you, and I will make sure you are released."
"Where are my weapons and armor?" the rogue asked next, taking stock of her situation.
"You're armor was damaged," answered Trinza as she came back into the medical bay, leaving her invisibility spell at the door. "The captain asked for me to make you comfortable. As for your weapons, we only found twisted pieces of metal by you."
"Let me go sister," Veronya commented on the apparent lineage of Trinza, "before I am made a pawn in this war between Ally and Horde."
Yet Trinza instead of compassionately replying, replied with venom, "So this is how the once mighty Elves repay their host's hospitality. You insult the captain and his crew."
"Trin-" began Mælorn, but he was interrupted by the Half Elf form of the bronze Dragon.
"No Mælorn! She needs to learn manners, Kelon is a decent and honorable being." Then as cool and firm as she could muster, Trinza left one final statement before she left the bay, "If she needs anything, let me know. I will let the captain know she is awake."
As the bronze Dragon stomped off, Veronya only looked shocked at Mælorn as he explained, "She is one of the Bronze Dragonflight, Kelon rescued her in the Caverns of Time. She has since pledged a life debt to him."
"Well then I totally boned that one up," Veronya felt like doing a face palm to herself.
Mælorn just chuckled, "Don't worry V, now you know how I feel around that hunter. Except its all the time."
The two Elves, one of Blood and one of Night, continued to chat. Sunfire and Sil continued their exploration of the Dalaran archives. Kelon was making his way back to the ship, while Cammy was talking with the engineers. The human paladin was trading for some new schematics. Nylak was busy loading on the supplies when a cloaked figured boarded the Valkerie, Colyn the ranger had returned. The crew of the Windrunner was finishing loading the last of their supplies into the ship. Soon they would all gather to plan, but for the moment normalcy of a task was a welcome relief.
Kelon returned to his ship, seeing the cloaked figure of Colyn waiting by the helm. The High Elf ranger was at peace and relaxed, something that Kelon thought fit him. They had been traveling together for as long as he had known Dranyon, and being woodsmen, both had an understanding. Nature was their arena, the terrain their stage, the living plants and animals their support cast. Hunter and Ranger would trade information, practices and knowledge. Yet it was not just their friendship that made Colyn stay, no that was Sil.
The druid was his love through and through. She had been the one to convince him that the world needed him back, he had been convinced to stay at his cabin for the rest of his days. A member of a dying race, High Elves were few. Those that had survived the destruction of the Sunwell, had either become Blood Elves or reverted to a mana draining parasite. Those that had been able to fend off the hunger, and remained High Elves, now were a people without purpose or a home. These people were his purpose and home now, he left from time to time, but always ended back up here with them. He always came back to her, to his love, Sil.
"You have a Blood Elf on board," Colyn said. "Do you ever turn away a stray?"
Kelon came up to the High Elf ranger and gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder, "If I did that, then where would you go?"
The joke made the ranger laugh, "I suppose you'll want to talk with her, if ya need any help I'll be up here being bored."
"She's only a rogue, master of shadows and underhandedness," Kelon replied, "I'll just keep a really, really bright light on her."
The hunter went below deck, stopping by his cabin to retrieve some leather, heavy duty thread, and the rogue's battered and destroyed armor. Then he went to the medical bay where Mælorn and Veronya were talking in hushed tones. Both looked up with surprise as he introduced himself with a not so subtle cough. Mælorn stood up and backed away, but still in front of Veronya. Kelon ignored it and sat at a table right across from the rogue. It was a station that Sil used when making her potions and elixirs, but it would serve his purpose for the moment.
Kelon began looking at the tattered remains of armor in front of him. He began measuring, then once he had gotten the dimensions began to cut and sew leather together. His expert fingers manipulated the materials as if he were forming their shape with his imagination. The pieces came together, becoming instead of pieces, something whole. The hunter's mind was on the present, he was aware of the silence that had descended. His main focus was on his work, something to help his mind think better.
"Are you going to ask me anything?" Veronya inquired.
Kelon's only response was pure him, "Was there something you wanted to talk about?"
"I won't betray the Horde," the rogue was adament in her refusal.
"I don't want to know anything about the Horde," Kelon was still absorbed in his work, "How are you feeling?"
"Much better thank you," next up was the question that Veronya wanted to get out of the way, "How long are you going to hold me prisoner?"
"You are not a prisoner," answered Kelon, no emotion was in his voice. "However if you would stay till you are healed at least. I have two friends scouring Dalaran's library right now for a cure to your wound."
"Why?"
Kelon turned, one part of his project finished, "Because you were in need."
The hunter returned to his work. Moments flew by as he worked on the next part, aware that the rogue was still staring at him. He had wanted to repair her gear, but after looking at it he could not. It had served its purpose though, taking hits for her so that her own skin was safe. That meant his thought to grab the leather stacks from his cabin had been right. Already he had crafted a new set of leather armor pants and tunic. It was the heavy duty stuff made from the hides of creatures in Northrend. Once he was done, just the leather alone would make it ten times more protective than her earlier set. After reinforcing it with his own armor kits, she would be even harder to kill.
Kelon took a look around Sil's workshop, till he found the dark navy dye that the druid had made. He had requested it from her, but she hadn't given it to him yet. That was alright, both of them had been busy of late. Sill had been running between Zul'drak and Gundrak, helping the trolls of that area retake their ancient altars. Kelon, Sunfire and Cammy had been in Stormpeaks and Icecrown preparing for the invasion of Icecrown Citadel.
Finally finished he turned to the rogue. Veronya still eyed him warily. Walking over to her, he handed her the folded articles of leather clothing. Right into her lap he placed them, then pulled the curtain around the bed. He waited, as he shooed Mælorn back, to give the lady some privacy. The other Night Elf looked on longingly, but complied himself to be moved to the door of the medical bay.
Veronya for her part looked over the armor, felt its smooth but tough layering. As she put it on, it was just close enough for her to move and not have it rub against her skin. Yet it wasn't so tight that she could not put the armor on, instead it was as if the armor had been crafted to fit her like a second skin. Apparently the Night Elf hunter wasn't just a good fighter. She moved around in the new set of armor, it felt good. The armor kits were strategically placed where she may be hit during a fight, they felt snug and secure. Despite herself she found herself in awe.
The new armor made Veronya feel protected and powerful, she knew it was silly. It could not be helped though, nor could the look that Mælorn gave her as she swept back the curtain. His eyes swept over the dark navy armor that now covered her from shoulder to foot. Only her head and hair were left exposed, the hunter had provided her with all the rest. Boots, gloves, pants, a tunic and shoulder guards were all there, and made her look like the femme fatale she was. Beautiful and deadly, Mælorn could not help but look at her with both awe and entrancement.
"Glad to see you like it, miss," Kelon said softly.
Veronya looked at the Night Elf with both sadness and unsuredness, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, now get some rest," Kelon continued. "The others will be here later."
Æryn was at the anvil, hammering at the red hot metal in front of her. The sound of metal against metal resounded around the blacksmith's shop. The movement was comforting, relaxing, despite the noise. To the opposite side of the shop, Æsthr was hammering a sheet of metal. Both of the Dranei were master blacksmiths and found solace in their craft. Dranyon had his engineering, but these two had their smithing.
They both were killing time till Kelon came to see them. The hunter would more than likely want to discuss another avenue of attack, and then there was that Blood Elf they had picked up. Mælorn had been frantic to get over to her, this made the female warrior chuckle to herself. The brooding and moody Death Knight had fallen for of all things the enemy! Even if he didn't realize it yet, Æryn wasn't sure she wanted to find out how this was going to end for them. Starcrossed lovers rarely had an easy time, and it was usually fatal.
Her musings were cut short as a ghostly wolf walked into the blacksmith shop. As it entered, the wolf shape began to change. It morphed into the Dranei shape familiar to both blacksmiths. Dranyon the shaman walked with his slow yet purposeful gait. He greeted his sister and her fiance. Æryn and Æsthr checked the last bit of their work they had started. They had finished the basics, now all that was left to polish the new works, and bring the remaining pieces that would make them whole. Æsthr had made a scythe blade, one that could easily harvest crops or slay an attacker. Æryn had made a hooked blade connected to a chain, it would triple as a tilling instrument, climbing tool, and weapon.
It was a sad but necessary thing, the land here was dangerous, and not just from the Lich King. There were dire wolves, worgs, yeti, and crazed trolls that any of the settlers could run into. The two Dranei made tools and weapons for these innocents who only wanted to live in peace. Dranyon had shown a vast number of settlers how to make bows, arrows and shots. As for the Blunderbusses and muskets, he made those himself and sold them for just the cost of materials. Some of the settlers had asked him to make one handed versions of his blunderbusses, but results were mixed in the engineer's eyes. The customers loved them, but Dranyon was looking for something better.
That is where his newest idea had come from. While his family were finishing up with their work, the Dranei engineer was scratching away with a stylus on paper. The figure coming out was a metal tube covered with wood, towards the top is a single bladelike metal piece. The wooden handle towards the bottom, had a hidden trigger. There was also a twist to the handle, this would trigger the blade. As Dranyon looked over the plans, it was a good tool. With a twist a person could make the blade pop up and use it as a weapon or tool, where as the bottom trigger would make the device fire shot out of it. Then thinking some more, he also drew up a smaller version, one that could be used in a single hand, but also would have less reach. He decided it would be called a bladeshot and knifeshot.
"Nice work Bro, what is it?" asked Æryn.
Dranyon was still bringing his mind away from creation as he answered, "It's a device that should allow a settler the ability to defend themselves without having to carry multiple weapons. They can shoot something and just as quickly switch to a melee spear like weapon."
"Wow," Æsthr looked over the schematics, "you do realize you're turning our settlers into one man soldiers right?"
"Women too," Æryn corrected.
Dranyon smirked as Æsthr back pedaled, and instead of letting the poor guy flounder, he continued, "Yes, unfortunately one has to be in this unforgiving land. Still this should be a benefit…and hopefully not a curse."
"Broski," Æsthr said, finally after Æryn's glare was away, "Around here too many people have too much to worry about than just surviving. They are going to hail you as a hero just for this alone."
"Alright you two," Æryn said, "we should get going and see what Kelon wanted."
All three Dranei walked out of the blacksmith shop. Dranyon's schematics were rolled and put into a tube in his toolbox. The toolbox rarely left the Windrunner unless it was docked. The winding streets of Dalaran were filled with adventurers, mages who lived in the city and their servants. Horses, Elekks, Sabercats, Rams and Gnomish Mechanostriders all moved about the cramped streets. Throughout these mounts and their rides, the three dodged, ducked and sometimes exchanged rude signals. They made it however to the entrance to the sewers. Once again Æryn thought of the awful smells that assaulted her nose anytime she came down here. Why had nobody found another place for the Windrunner to dock at? Then looking back over the floating city, she had to admit that there was not many other places in the cramped space for it to moor.
Managing to get through the worst of it, the Dranei made it to the berths for Windrunner and Valkerie. Waiting on them was the crew of the Valkerie and Mælorn. As for the Windrunner, its crew showed up en masse after the arrival of Æsthr and Æryn with Dranyon. The two groups faced each other, waiting for the meeting to start. Kelon, Sunfire, and Sill walked forward to the three Dranei, letting the others relax.
An hour passed as the six went over the events of the day, and what they could mean. The other main reason, was Kelon's wish to cure the Blood Elf of her diseased wound. His arguments of being able to treat any wound caused by the Lich King or his Scourge was a good one, however there was resistance from his own crew, much less that of the Windrunner. What they wanted was to follow up on the successful attack on Arthas, they wanted to assault Icecrown Citadel immediately.
"We need more information on healing those that are affected by the Scourge," Kelon argued, "than we need more destruction. What good will it do to kill the Lich King, if he can only contaminate more of our people."
"Once he is dead, we can just mop up the rest of infected, better to lose some than all of our people," argued Tenzin, one of the Windrunner crew.
"Not that I agree with that," countered Nylak, one of Kelon's crew, "but with him near death, this may be the only chance we get at victory against the Lich King. I hate to lose our humanity against him, but he is a pertinent threat."
"Oh yes, let the Death Knight lecture us on humanity," said Ambrelynn, a human paladin that had recently joined with the Ronin.
Dranyon gave her a severe look, warning her off, "Nylak and Kelon are right. We can't lose what makes us different from the Lich King."
Æsthr jumped in, "We living are about one another, we form bonds, friendships, and love. War against the forces of darkness must make us hard, but I will not have any talk about the many against the few."
Æryn cleared her throat, prompting silence, "I have fought against the Burning Legion and darkness for as long as I can remember. I have lost friends and family, and recently one was brought back to me. The return of my brother reminded me that miracles do happen, and that we have to fight for them. If you want to logic out the losses we may incur, then it will be us that are lost, not innocents!"
Kelon nodded, "We have been trained to fight, it is the reason we are here. It is certainly not for the weather. We can't stand idly and let any living being suffer when we can stop it, no matter what faction they are with."
"Are we done yet?" Chenresig said, his Death Knight eyes glowing their soft blue. "It is all but decided we are going to help the elf, so what is the plan?"
Sil took it from here, "According to the library, there is an elixir that could be made that should drive out any unnatural ailment from a body. We have all the necessary ingredients save one. We need the blood of an ancient or undying race."
"Great!" Tenzin cheered, "Night Elves give it up, c'mon roll up those sleeves and give some blood for the durned elf."
Kelon glared at the warrior, "We are no longer immortal. The World Tree was destroyed and with it our long life span."
"Then what is that big thing off of Ashenvale," Tenzin shot back.
Kelon so much wanted to throttle the warrior, "An arch druid's attempt to redo that immortality."
"Ten," Æsthr said, "why don't you go check on the Windrunner, something tells me we are going to be leaving out soon."
Tenzin huffed as he went to get the airship ready for launch, allowing Sil to finish, "After talking with Kelon, we may have an option. According to him, Loken is one of the original over watchers left by the Titans. If this is the case, he would have undying and immortal blood."
"So then it is off to Ulduar then," Dranyon interjected. "Adventurers are saying he is holed up in the Halls of Lightning."
Kelon nodded, "That's correct. I've assisted the Earthen in that area in reclaiming most of their taken lands, and would welcome our help in Ulduar."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Æryn asked as she stood up and dusted off.
Æsthr smiled and exclaimed, "Time to bring the pain!"
As the two groups walked off, Æryn pulled Kelon of to the side, "Not that I mind fighting, just tell me we are not heading off on a suicide mission to save a Horde that may kill us."
"I don't believe in no win scenarios," Replied the hunter, "I do however have quite a few tricks up my sleeve, so no worries."
As Kelon walked off the lone Dranei warrior mutter, "No worries he says. That's the same thing they said when we were on the Exodar." She sighed, "Guess you can't crash into a planet more than once."
The two crews headed to their ships, preparations started immediately to launch them into the air again. Fully restocked, they were loaded for bear. Engines whirred and hummed, and moorings were released, letting the ships float away from the dock. The crews sped across both ships with purpose and duty, Kelon at the helm of the Valkerie and Æryn at the helm of Windrunner set a course to the Stormpeaks. As the ships began to slowly drift away from Dalaran, they did not realize one of their own was missing.
Marching down Dalaran's busy street, Mælorn was looking for his own way to the Stormpeaks. It wasn't that he mistrusted his allies, but they were going to be moving slowly. Veronya was in trouble and he and she didn't have time to play it safe. The oncoming Orc on the Mechanohog, the Horde version of the Mekingeer Chopper, was his ticket. As the Orc rode forward, Mælorn used his frozen grasp, the rider of the Mechanohog didn't get pulled as was ejected off the vehicle. The Orc stood up to lay low the attacker, but the Night Elf Death Knight was already on the bike and racing towards the exit.
The control crystal that led to the Violet camp below Dalaran was usually staffed by a mage or their apprentice. Most of the time it was a job of telling new arrivals how to use the crystal to teleport down to the ground. So it wasn't the most terribly exciting job, nor one that every mage relished. The real challenge was the camp below, that is were any attack would come, and so it was guarded as such. That would explain as a the mechanohog sped into the small enclosed area, that the guard for the crystal was too shocked to fling a spell. Mælorn flew right by the guard, making sure to miss, and he operated the crystal. A beam of light transported mechanohog and rider down to the ground level just as the mages and guards of Dalaran were catching up to him. The mages below believed it to be just another jaunt, and were taken complete back as the mechanohog sped off spewing dirt and grass behind it. Nor were they ready for their brethren to port down mad as hell as they saw the vehicle and its rider speeding away.
Mælorn hated leaving Veronya behind, but he was right, Kelon was too much of a goody two shoes to harm her. His crew on the Valkerie would follow his orders, they were loyal to him. Something Mælorn still didn't understand. Yet for the moment she would be safe, and the idiotically self righteous hunter had even convinced Æryn and Æsthr to risk their necks for her. The Death Knight appreciated it, yet he had more respect for the two Dranei. He would kill Loken himself, it was his responsibility to save Veronya. He had been responsible for her condition, or at least he felt he was. If anyone as going to save her, it was going to be him.
These thoughts poured through Mælorn's mind as he crossed from the Crystalsong Forest to the area known as the Stormpeaks. The first stop after coming into the Stormpeaks was a small Goblin settlement named K3. Much to the credit of the Goblins, or because of all the adventurers that had come through, they did not flinch as the Death Knight dismounted off the mechanohog. He walked over to a female Goblin, the other backed up around her, weapons pulled.
"I need transportation to Ulduar," Mælorn growled.
The little female Goblin smiled, small at first, but growing till it was impossibly large against her small face, "Sure honey, we need a test subject for our new rocket." Then as if thinking about it, "Oh and make sure to sign the waivers."
The waivers turned out to be a single piece of paper with two sentences on it. Mælorn didn't read them, he just signed using the outstretched quill he was given. All the Goblins seemed to perk up, and they led him to a red pained rocket. The metal tube was just wide enough to have the Night Elf sit on it, albeit uncomfortably. As he sat on the rocket, the female Goblin from before let out a squeal of glee as she lit the fuse running down to the snow below.
At first the seconds seem to fly by slowly, and the Death Knight considered turning around and strangling the little Goblin. However just as he was about to turn and make good on the idea, the rocket propelled itself violently forward. Flying straight up, and then corkscrewing around, Mælorn found himself instantly disoriented as horizon, land and air seemed to trade places three times in one breath. As they traded places twelve times in the next breath, he was hopelessly in the throes of vertigo.
Three more times the rocket shot up, corkscrewed, the barrel rolled, before it shot forward once more. As the Night Elf Death Knight got his bearings back, he looked down just to see a deep chasm passing below him. In front was the massive Titan complex of Ulduar. The ice and air of the mountains caused his breath to show in white whispy clouds, and as he saw the two ships in front of him he could not help but letting out a surprised gasp.
The Windrunner and the Valkerie were preparing to land as the rocket carrying Mælorn crashed into the snow and ice, sending the white power and clear solids into the air. They had made it before him, Mælorn could not believe it, but they had. The Night Elf had barely dusted himself off as four figures were running up to him.
"You know," Kelon joked, "there are easier ways of getting here."
Mælorn just glared at him as Dranyon, Æsthr and Æryn came up, of which they did not look to pleased at all. As he listened to the three Dranei read him the riot act, Mælorn realized that maybe the commandeering of the mechanohog had not been the wisest course of action. The look Æryn gave him reinforced it, she looked like she wanted to smack him up the side of the head with her mace. The way Dranyon was standing off to the side, Mælorn concluded that might be what she was indeed thinking.
"Well now that you are here," Dranyon said, trying to redirect where this conversation was going, "why don't we get to the business of handing Loken the business end of our weapons."
"Cammy," Kelon said, "go with them, Æryn and Æsthr, this is your show. We'll provide the cover in case anything comes your way."
"Thanks Kel," Dranyon said. "Chenresig, Tenzin help the Valkerie out. Mælorn, you're with us."
"Team, let's move out," Æsthr said as the Death Knight and paladin joined them.
Five adventurers walked up the massive steps leading up to the Halls of Lightning. Into the depths they walked in, from the inside burning coal and ionized ozone hung in the air. Heat wafted up and washed over the heroes like an uncomfortable fever that would not leave. The banging of metal thundered across the massive room coming up and boomed as the sound waves resounded off the straight walls of the hall.
Cammy brought her two handed mace up, ready to strike. Mælorn held his two swords, ready to slice and stab anything that moved, where as Dranyon had his mace and shield on his back. His usual axe and mace combo were still strapped to his sides, but would not be used. His job this time around was to keep everyone up and healed as they fought. Ærsthr and Æryn led the way, one with sword and shield the other holding two two handed weapons as if they were lighter one handers. They were ready for what was about to be thrown at them. As they neared the first set of Iron Dwarves that guarded the Halls, they would never know the chaos forming outside.
As Chenresig, Tenzin and Kelon were securing the parked airships, they kept a tentative eye on the entrance to the Halls of Lightning. Not a one of them would rather be anywhere else but besides their friends in there. However someone had to watch their backs, and that included making sure that they had an exit in case things became hot. It was Chenresig and Kelon that spotted the doors to the Hall of Stone opening first. Tenzin joined them just in the instant to see Vrykul, Iron Dwarves and all assorted nasties pour out.
"Well," Chenresig joked, "Did you order take out?"
Kelon smiled despite the mass of angry beings coming at them, "I ordered the fun platter. Let's hope I don't have to complain to management."
Hunter and Dwarf Death Knight ran forward, while Tenzin called down for the rest of the crew of the Windrunner. Kelon's first two shots took down one Vrykul and one Iron Darf. Chenresig pulled another Iron Dwarf to him, then split the unfortunate's head in two. As the gore fell to the ground, another Dwarf ran up, only to have the axe head buried deep into its chest. A Vrykul managed to get his weapon raised for a death strike on the smaller Dwarf, though he would never get to launch it. An arrow struck straight into the heart, stopping the Vrykul in its tracks. Chenresig wisely stepped back as another Vrykul lunged at him, this one catching an arrow to the eye.
The Dwarf looked over at the Night Elf hunter, "Good shooting, now let me show you how to really fight!"
The Dwarf Death Knight launched himself onto the nearest Vrykul, cleaving the spine with a well placed thrust. Before the groaning being could fall complete, Chenresig jumped off and brought his axe own on a new target. Meanwhile arrows continued to fly, taking out more and more, yet they still kept coming. Kelon didn't look off, didn't turn to see if anyone was coming. He had faith in his companions, and it was a faith earned from many a battle. They had fought alongside him, and had never let him down, ever.
A fireball and a wrath spell slammed into two more of the oncoming mob, along with more arrows following suit. Kelon knew that Sunfire, Sil and Colyn had joined the fray. Then he saw the spikey hair of Nylak as the human Death Knight joined Chenresig at the front. Kelon could hear the battle cry Nylak let out as he slammed his own two handed axe into the nearest Vrykul. The hunter mused that had Nylak been a Vrykul, his parents would have been proud of the lung capacity of their offspring, as it is, coming from a human form it was frightening.
Inside the Halls of Lightning, Æsthr and Æryn were standing over the remains of the first group of Iron Dwarves. Already Cammy and Mælorn were sizing up the next group. Æsthr waited patiently, the main Vrykul here, the boss, was a general that was literally electric. As he passed his followers, they would infuse him with the element of lightning. As they did so, it also left a few of them charged as well, the heroes had learned that the hard way attacking the first group. Æryn had found that the jolt they all had shared was far from pleasant. Luckily Dranyon was better than just any average healer, even if he did prefer to fight more, he had kept the group up.
With the lesson learned Æsthr wasn't taking any chances. Just as the charge left the next group, he charged forward. Æryn was next, followed by Cammy and Mælorn. The female Dranei was impressed by the human paladin, though a warrior of the Light, she was also fierce. Rennie, a new recruit to Ronin, was just like this paladin. It almost made Æryn regret that she never learned the holy warrior path, almost. This time the attack had been clean, and Dranyon was back to looking bored. As long as he was bored, the team was doing a good job.
Following the same strategy, the rest of the groups of Iron Dwarves fell, and all that was left was the Vrykul boss. They waited for the charge from the last group to wear off, then they broke their targets. The Vrykul was followed by two Iron Dwarves, Cammy, Mælorn, and Æryn would attack them first, then come back to assist Æsthr with the Vrykul. Dranyon's only worry was keeping the attackers and Æsthr alive for the whole plan to work.
The charge fell off the Vrykul, and then the warriors charged in. The attacking part of the team fell upon the Vrykul's escorts. It was like clockwork, a cohesion that most had to work on for years. Adventurers had traveled long roads and years to achieve what these five had during the fight. That of course did not preclude self interest, and that almost doomed the heroes.
While Æryn and Cammy were finishing off one of the Iron Dwarves, Mælorn began to run after the second one. So impatient was he to get the plan moving along that he neglected the cohesion that had been working so well. When he used his frozen grasp to pull the other Iron Dwarf over, he didn't realize it would send the enemy torpedoing into Æsthr. The Dranei warrior fell back as the Dwarf slammed into him, allowing the Vrykul a chance to attack the others.
The first target was the Night Elf Death Knight, who received a boot straight into his guts. Despite his condition, the pain made Mælorn wish for a second death. One the Vrykul nearly gave him, it was only Æryn's timely arrival that kept it from happening. The female Dranei pushed the Night Elf out of the way, allowing the Vrykul's weapon to slam against the floor harmlessly. Cammy was next, bringing her two handed mace into the back of the Vrykul's knee. Her target fell backwards and landed with a loud thud, causing the floor to shake. That only left the one remaining Iron Dwarf, and he quickly fell as the warrior and paladin pounced on him.
Dranyon was casting spell after spell, chain heals were hitting both Æsthr and Mælorn. Æryn could tell he was doing fine, but there was going to be some serious problems when he stopped casting, and she was pretty sure a certain Death Knight was going to find out about Shaman Anger. That is if that certain Death Knight survived the chewing out he was going to get from her.
One good thing was that now since the Vrykul was on the ground, when the heroes commenced their attack again, it was easier to hit him. The five quickly finished him off, and the Vrykul sighed one last breath before passing away. The battle over, at least for now, the heroes climbed down. The two Dranei warriors glared at the Night Elf Death Knight, while Dranyon sat drinking some water to regain some of his mana strength.
"What the hell do you think you were doing?" shouted Æryn. "You nearly got us killed!"
Before Mælorn could answer Cammy jumped in, "You have got to work with the team. I know you think Kel and us are slow and what not, but we do things for a reason."
Æryn continued, "We all know that you are worried about that Elf, but that's my fiance over there. If he dies because you pulled another stupid stunt, I'm coming for your ass."
Dranyon and Æsthr just looked at the scene, flabbergasted and not knowing how to add anything else to that. Then they both laughed, hoping the ladies did not hear their chuckles. Æsthr helped Dranyon to his feet, and the two marched over to the scene, trying to suppress smirks as they saw Mælorn looking for the nearest hole to hide in.
As the two women left the Night Elf alone, Dranyon said, "I trust you have learned your lesson in patience my friend?" All Mælorn could do was glare.
The heroes began their delving into Halls of Lightning, unaware that outside a full pitched battle was being waged. The never ending stream of targets were still coming out of the Halls of Stone of Ulduar, fortunately for those guarding the heroes' rear, they weren't coming out en masse. No the doorway was only letting some of them out, so they could not overwhelm their targets outside. For the moment balance of good and evil was poised on a tip of a needle. As long as the heroes could hold out, everything would be fine.
Poor Kelon could feel something. It was a prickling of the skin, goose bumps of one who hunts knowing he is being hunted. He diverted his attention from the battle, they were winning, he could afford the luxury of trusting his gut. Immediately he had wished he hadn't. A black cloud stretched across the horizon, becoming more sickly and twisted with each passing moment. It pulsated, like a living embodiment of shadow itself. Each time it pulsated, it grew larger and larger. As it got closer his Night Elf ears picked up the screeching and grinding that showed the coming cloud was a combination of gargoyles, shadow bats and bone gryphons. It was the Scourge!
Running back to the Valkerie, Kelon started up its engines. He knew he could not get the ship airborne before the Scourge arrived, but at least he could cause them some grief when they did. Colyn was readying the cannons, Kelon hadn't called him up, but apparently the ranger had seen the Scourge too. Trinza soon was on deck, coming as soon as she had heard the busy scurrying of Kelon and Colyn. The air ship rose just as the first Scourge came into view, and Kelon aimed straight for them.
By that time the word had gotten out to everyone fighting on the ground, Sunfire just having the briefest of moments to turn and see Kelon on the bridge piloting the Valkerie. Like a mythic hero of old, looking straight into the face of evil and not flinching. His cloak flowing in the wind and standing like a statue against the coming onslaught. It was a sight to see, but also in that sight was dread. He would fight till the end, protect her and all those he cared about. It was what made him so special, and what made her fear losing him the most.
Apparently the Vrykul and Iron Dwarves were tired of fighting, they retreated back into the Halls of Stone. The combined crews of the Valkerie and Windrunner were about to cheer, when the ground rumbled. Out of a massive death gate, sprang Scourge ground units. Massive tank like Nerubians, ghouls, Death Knights, necromancers and skeletons poured through the gate.
Chenresig summed it up for everyone on the ground, "Ah Crap!"
The Valkerie's cannons belched out their deadly missiles. Cannonballs slammed into the flying Scourge and exploded, taking massive amounts of gargoyles out. More came, and were throwing small boulders and their corrosive spit at the flying ship. Kelon was doing his best to weave the Valkerie in and out of the incoming attacks. Colyn was also doing his best to aim the cannons, luckily Trinza was there too. They split their work to the side cannons. The two in front would just remain wherever Kelon had pointed the ship to attack.
Veronya had been sitting in the medical bay, not sure if she could leave. The Night Elf had told her that she wasn't a prisoner, but the Bronze Dragon had been giving her the evil eye for the whole trip. Now that the cursed dragon was gone, and Veronya was glad. That was till the ship started to shake as it was hit. Running from the medical bay and up on deck, the Blood Elf was genuinely surprised to find the ship surrounded by Scourge flying forces.
"Wow," the rogue said, "You really make friends wherever you go huh?"
Colyn answered for Kelon, who was steering the ship like a crazed madman, "You have no idea sister. Should have seen him in Alterac Valley. I think everyone wanted to kill him there."
"I'm not your sister," shot back Veronya.
"You're right. Now why don't you make yourself useful and help Kelon in keeping this ship in one piece," the ranger acknowledged as he shot the side cannons again.
"Where is Mælorn?" the rogue managed to ask as she made her way across the rocking ship.
Kelon answered this time, "Inside the Halls of Lightning."
Looking back towards Ulduar, the rogue gasped, "We may want to head back, looks like your friends are about to be overrun by Scourge."
"How the hell did they get past us?" Kelon exclaimed irritated. That was till he saw the massive death gate pour Scourge out. "Blast! Colyn, Trinza fire one last volley. Everyone hold on after that because we are going back fast."
The two on cannons released their final volley, then held on for dear life. Veronya too had to find her footing. Kelon turned the Valkerie in a severe turn, causing the massive ship to tilt. As the tight turn brought them back to face Ulduar, the hunter pushed the throttle on the ship. The Valkerie jumped forward, rocketing towards the death gate. On the ground Nylak and Chenresig had formed a line, Tenzin was helping them hold it. Sunfire and Sil were providing the ranged attacks.
Kelon brought the Valkerie in towards the pulsing mass of Scourge, then at the last second pulled up and entered into a turn. As the ship dipped again from the force of the turn, Kelon ordered the cannons to be fired. Broadsides erupted, exploding into the Scourge army. Bits and pieces of undead flew into the air, landing all over the battlefield. Then Kelon ran straight before turning sharply again, this time the opposite cannons fired, sending more Scourge to pieces. The hunter continued this figure eight pattern three more times before he had to break off and deal with the flying Scourge he had been fighting moments before.
They were coming in fast now, and they were angry. Kelon knew they were in trouble. The people on the ground couldn't hold out without more support, and there were too many in the air for even the Valkerie to handle. Logically and strategically it would have been wise to retreat. That wasn't going to happen though. The people inside were counting on him and those outside to keep things clear till they were done. If he retreated now, the Scourge would overwhelm them. That was something that he could not live with.
"Colyn," get down there and help them out, Kelon barked. "Trinza I need you flying on my six, take out any flying Scourge that are after us. We need to get a message to anyone that can come fight."
"I'll go," volunteered Veronya, "This would be a chance to finally repay you for your kindness."
"More than that," Kelon pointed to the back lines of the Scourge, "That's the Lich King. It could be our chance to finally destroy him."
As Veronya looked, her Elven eyes saw what Kelon saw. On a black stretcher, being carried on the back of ten ghouls, lay the Lich King. His pale skin even paler, and his skin beginning to crack like old dry skin in the wind. More like a corpse now than the boogeyman from nightmares, the Lich King looked like for once he may be at death's door permanently.
"Bring the Argent Crusade, the Knights of the Ebon Blade," Kelon was talking almost as fast as his mind was racing, "anyone that is willing to see that curse ended today!"
"I will not fail," Veronya didn't know what else to say, but that had seemed appropriate.
"Trinza will you do the honors," Kelon said to the Bronze Dragon in Half-Elf form.
Trinza looked right at Veronya, "Do not dally rogue, for if he falls I will come and eat you."
Coming from a dragon, Veronya didn't doubt that one bit. She nodded her head in acceptance, and hoped it would be enough to pacify the dragon. She need not have worried. Trinza opened a portal to Dalaran, in which the rogue jumped through. The sounds of battle receded and instead she was greeted by a bewildered mage. Standing up and cursing the stiffness in her shoulder, the same shoulder the Lich King had stabbed, Veronya raced out of the mage tower. She had to find help for Mælorn and his friends, now who would answer the call?
Inside the Halls of Lightning, the heroes were attacking Volkan, the blacksmith in residence of Ulduar. Æsthr and Æryn had managed to get through the room and up the stairs, leading the rest of the group in a very fast and steady battle. The elementals here were like hot coals, making any armor no matter how thin feel like a burden. So to get past them the warriors had run ahead of the other three, drawing the elementals to the side. Then Mælorn and Cammy destroyed them, allowing Dranyon space on the stairs to heal the group, and to make sure they did not fall from heat exhaustion.
Under their armor, all the heroes were prespiring. The heat was almost baking them in their metallic shells of protection. Even Dranyon's chain mail armor felt like little grills stinging on his flesh. Even as they finished off the last two elementals, this time air, the heat threatened to overwhelm them. The only way to stop it would be to shut down Volkan's Forge, and since he would not let them pass to fight Loken, he had to be taken down.
Volkan had been furious when the heroes had advertised their presence. Æsthr like any good tank in a group, intercepted the angry giant's attack. By this time in the campaign in Northrend, the Dranei warrior had felt the smack of too many giants on his shield. The shockwaves no long caused him pain, nor did the jolts produce snapping sounds. The explosion of metal against metal however never went away, nor the ringing it would do to his ears. So it was that when Volkan's attack landed on Æsthr's shield, the Dranei had the power to push the attack to the side. With an opening the tank of a warrior sliced forward with his blade. The cut that it did only angered the giant, but kept that anger straight on Æsthr.
That was of course the plan, and kept Volkan from seeing Æryn, Cammy and Mælorn sneaking up behind him. The giant bellowed in rage and sent massive blows raining down on Æsthr, none landing, some having to be parried. So lost was Volkan in his rage, much to Æsthr's ability, that he didn't notice that the other three had wounded him. Blood dripped down the giant's hand, and Volkan stared at it blankly for a moment before he saw a Dranei warrior hanging from a massive two handed blade. The blade itself was sunk deep into his back arm muscle. Volkan was about to grab for her, when his hand erupted in fire, feeling as if he had smashed his hammer into it again. Looking over to the other hand, a human woman was bringing her mace down again, to smash his hand. Then a Night Elf in dark plate armor jumped up and slashed at Volkan's face with two swords.
Volkan had had enough, these pests would be destroyed. Flinging the Dranei off his arm, he threw her into the human with the big mace. As for the Night Elf, Volkan merely swatted him like a fly. The heavily armored Night Elf flew across the room, only to land in a pile near the stairs. It was the same set they had climbed to face him. That left the warrior who was preparing for the strike that would come. However, Volkan had other plans. Rushing to his forge, he grabbed his smithing hammer and made steel golems. Breathing life into them, Volkan ordered them to attack the five interlopers. To which the golems fell onto the heroes with malicious glee.
Æsthr tried to grab them all, Dranyon once again throwing heals out like they were candy to children. Some of the golems got past the Dranei warrior, falling onto Cammy and Æryn. Both women fought for every inch as they desperately tried to get to their feet. The golems for better or for worse had left Mælorn along, probably thinking him dead as he lay non moving on the floor.
If they had wanted to make Æryn and Cammy into that state, they seriously underestimated the two women. They stood back and pushed with all their might, weapons flying like deadly extensions of their wielders. Maces connected with golems to dent and eventually smash them to pieces. Sword cut into golem armor, so that the blunt mace attack would have an easier time destroying the automatons. Æsthr was fighting his way over to them, yet the more he fought, the more golems came to replace the ones that fell.
Looking back over his shoulder, Æsthr saw that Volkan was making more golems in an effort to kill them. Problem was, if they could not regroup and get to Volkan, then it would not be a pretty thing what would happen. He was trying to figure out how they were going to pull this off, right now his mind was on the verge of blank and brilliance. He need not worry though, one who had been overlooked came back.
Volkan's hammer, his beloved smith's hammer, was coming down when it disappeared. The giant looked around, surprised. He watched as his hammer flew through the air, landing next to a seriously upset Night Elf in dark armor. Instead of attacking Volkan though, the Night Elf ran into the golems. His two swords sang through the air, taking out golems right and left. His Death Knight abilities making his attacks faster and fiercer, causing the golems to seemingly decay before the eyes of the heroes. With his entrance Mælorn had given the balance back to his group. Æryn and Cammy were able to join him in attack and meet back up with Æsthr.
Æryn reached for Volkan's hammer, "Give me that. Now let's show you how this is really done!"
Æsthr and the rest of the group kept Volkan's attention as Æryn sprinted up the side of Volkan's anvil. She waited patiently as Volkan once more tried to grab her fiance and friends. Then as he did so she pounced. Bringing the hammer above her head like a two handed mace, she launched herself off the anvil. Slamming the hammer down, she caught the giant in the temple. He had turned to face the sound of her war cry, the hammer catching him just in the right area. There was a crunch and a wet splooshing sound. She landed and ran back towards her group, but everyone know, Æryn's mark had been true.
Volkan's eyes rolled up into their sockets, his mouth forming unintelligible words. His body was swaying in the air, almost as if there was a strong wind whipping him about. Then all muscle control was lost by his mind, and the giant fell the ground. The giant continued to groan and moan as air escaped his dying body kept trying to inhale and exhale. With a single blow, a giant was felled, and finally not only could the heroes move again, but the forge was shut down. This last part brought a welcomed cool breeze to the heroes, who moments ago were baking in their armor.
The heroes waited a moment, take a break to center themselves. Then they went on, Loken was still further in. Reports would suggest that he would be full of surprises. Their fun was just beginning, just as it was for a Blood Elf rogue in Dalaran.
Veronya had sought out anyone that would believe her, and was getting frustrated by Alliance and Horde that scoffed at her claims. Rhonin of the Kirin Tor seemed to be in a constant meeting. Not that his High Elf wife Vereesa Windrunner was allowing her anywhere near the archmage. The ranger Windrunner's distaste for the Blood Elves was well known, and considering Veronya's chosen profession, could understand why the other elf's leeriness. Still it burned Veronya, if she had wanted to kill the archmage, she would not just walk up and ask for an audience. Well maybe she would, rogues were resourceful and cunning, any opportunity would be a welcome one.
Still with each passing amount of time, Veronya knew that it was increasing the chances that the heroes at Ulduar would fall. Not only would tat be the end of this "cure" they were discussing for her, but then the Bronze Drake would be coming to make a meal out of her. That was something that she did not want to think about, nor was she wanting to think about how much these Allies had done for her. If she did, then some of her held beliefs of the Alliance would have to be rethought. Something that she was not hoping to face, her job currently was keeping her from thinking about it too long though.
"Come all my fellow Horde," Veronya pleaded, "we must come together now! The Lich King lies near death, and is at Ulduar. If we leave now we can finish him once and for all, claiming all honor for the Horde!" Yet only a few paid her heed, and she tried again, "Brothers and sisters, we have give up so much to get here. Now we have our chance to end this and go home! Once the Lich King is destroyed we can all focus on Malygos. Come now and give aid to valiant warriors in a pitched battle around Ulduar!"
Nothing happened, making Veronya curse. In fact the Horde around her seemed to be interested in getting ready for a Vault of the Ancients raid. To get in though, they would have to retake Wintergrasp Keep from the Alliance. The Horde was mustering its forces for that battle. The same battle that had kept the Alliance from responding to her pleas as she tried to pass herself off as a High Elf. For the first time since the Wrathgate incident, Veronya swore at the obstinacy of both sides. What both fought for they could easily achieve now, but they were too busy fighting each other!
"Veronya is that you making all this racket?" asked an Forsaken Warlock, one of the rogue undead that had escaped from the Scourge. "What is this about the death of the Lich King?"
Veronya was pleased to see the undead warlock, even if he wasn't aesthetically pleasing to the eye. He had befriended her back as she and the Blood Elves had joined the Horde. Since then they had constant run ins where their paths had crossed. He was a good person, if not technically alive by human standards.
"A group of Alliance rescued me from the Lich King, wounding him in the process," Veronya advised. "Now they are in a fight against the whole of the Scourge. The Lich King is there too, but he looks more dead than I have ever seen him."
Ariko chuckled at the Blood Elf, "The Lich King always looks like death made over, he is after all a lich."
"No Ariko," Veronya huffed out of frustration, "He is dying or dead. His skin is falling apart and the Scourge are carrying him on slab!"
"Hmmm" The wheels were turning inside the undead brain of the warlock. "If this is true, then you are right and these fools are missing out only opportunity to win this war. Not only can we kill the Lich King, but I can also take care of those Alliance fools!"
"No Ariko!" Veronya's voice was pained, and only slightly because she feared the Bronze Drake. "They helped me, saved me when they could have killed me."
"Fine!" Ariko teased, "No fun for me! I will gather the guild and have them race out to the Stormpeaks."
As the Forsaken warlock rode off on his demon steed, an Orc came up to Veronya, "You there, what was the name of that Alliance officer that saved you?"
"His friends called him Kel, though I think I overheard someone calling him Kelon Drakynheart," answered Veronya, shocked that finally someone had taken notice.
The Orc seemed to take a step back, looked at her with an inquisitive eye, then said, "I am Ulan and I know this crazy Night Elf you refer to, he is a friend to all living things. I will call the Outcasts to his aid."
"Who?" Bewildered Veronya was sure that this Orc was off his rocker.
The Orc marched out to Krasus' landing. Then summoning a nether drake mount, the Orc mounted up. Drake and rider lifted off into the air, hovering just a heads breadth above even the tallest of Taurens. Reaching into his armor the Orc removed his hearthstone, then said a word that brought forth an enchantment that made the stone glow blue. Casting his eyes around the people mulling around the landing, the Orc prepared.
"Outcasts of Azeroth, I call you to arms for our brother in need. Kelon the hunter fights now in Stormpeaks. We Outcasts never leave a brother behind, follow me and we will bring vengeance upon the Lich King himself!"
Veronya was stunned, not by the Orc, that was impressive enough. No what she was shocked to see was what happened next. Alliance and Horde, fighters from both stepped forward. They called their mounts and flew into the air behind Ulan. More and more came, more than possibly could have been Dalaran at that time. She stepped back into the main city, and found out why. Portals were opening up all around Dalaran, and fighters were spewing forth like angry ants to the defense of their hill. What seemed like forever passed before the final Outcasts left Dalaran.
Just as Veronya was sure that all surprises were done, two more groups flew off. They were Alliance, ranging from warriors to paladins, rogues to mages. All classes and races seemed to be represented. They flew off on Whirlycopters, gryphons, dragons and one flew on a Horde Windrider. The Blood Elf rogue would not find out right then, but maybe later, that these two groups were Carpe Diem and Running with Scissors. Two guilds that Kelon's little family belonged to, and they were off to defend their own. For now Horde and Alliance guilds were headed to the Stormpeaks, with the Outcasts of Azeroth forming a line between them.
Veronya paid the Windrider handler for a ride, and soon she was racing behind the three groups, and hoping they would be enough. She was not the only one hoping against hope. Nylak saw that Sunfire, robes tattered and blowing in the wind, look worriedly up at the Valkerie. The Airship was still doing its figure eight pattern above the Scourge, with Trinza in dragon form was attacking any flyers that came too close to the ship. However the ship was still taking damage, despite the ferocity of its cannons and the dragon following behind.
The airship was dented and its wooden hull was splintering from several hits to it. Still the engines and the propellers kept the airship moving and up in the air. Kelon's seemingly fly by the seat flying was causing the Scourge massive confusion. In fact the few hits that had connected, were more due to the Scourge firing massive volleys then their skill. Sunfire could only look on with pride and horror, her love was definitely one of a kind. She just feared that would also be why he would be taken from her, his luck and skill could only last so long.
Taking a step back away from the human mage, Nylak brought his axe down on a Scourge that had gotten too close. Chenresig, Tenzin and several others were doing their best at holding the melee at bay. By doing this, it kept Sunfire, Sil and Colyn available to use their ranged attacks. The High Elf ranger had jumped off the Valkerie as it had done an extremely low flyby, joining the defenses. Even with his aid their hold on this land was tenuous.
After the Scourge had shown themselves, Nylak had led those left outside to the nearest encampment. There assorted races of Azeroth held a landing platform for Gryphons and Windriders. The warriors at that encampment recognized the threat and joined with Nylak. Taking defensive stances inside a very small and uninspiring wooden palisade, they fought back the Scourge now.
Ionar gasped its last breath, figuratively. The electrical elemental had tried to kill the five heroes in Halls of Lightning. The last orders that Loken had given was to decimate any resistance that managed to get past his Vrykul guards and Volkan. Three times Ionar had thought it had the heroes as it dispersed its energy into spider-like beings that attacked. The five heroes, wary after their fights thus far were adaptable. Dodging and a strategic retreat kept the energy spiders back, till Ionar tired and had to reform. Then the heroes reengaged. All that was left of the elemental were the two bracers that Loken had used to control it, the five heroes didn't even move them from where they fell.
The next two rooms were filled with a danger only Dranyon could fix. Each of the Vrykul and Iron Dwarves envenomed their weapons with poisons and venom from any number of sources. These toxins were designed to outright kill you, slow you, or make you fall asleep. The last two would leave you vulnerable while their owners hacked away. As soon as Cammy was hit, she began to swoon. Quickly Dranyon dropped a cleansing totem and threw the paladin a heal. Just as soon as that, Æsthr and Mælorn were hit with sleeping poisons. Even with the cleansing totem, both would not awaken fast enough.
The shaman then threw down a tremor totem. Immediately the ground shook as if a slight earthquake was below them. Vrykul and Iron Dwarf hesitated for just a moment, unsure if their feet would remain on the ground. That was not Dranyon's reason, however the Dranei warrior's and Night Elf Death Knight's sudden alertness was. Angry at being poisoned, Æsthr lunged at the nearest target he could find. Æryn and Cammy picked another, and in another spot Mælorn was finishing off a recently diseased Vrykul. Using his Death Knight abilities, Mælorn took the life force out of the Vrykul. At first his ability to disease, and then siphon life energy, using his touch had been noxious to Mælorn. Now he was reveling in it.
Keeping both the cleansing totem and the tremor totem up, Dranyon continued to heal while the other four brought destruction to their enemies. The next two rooms were made much easier by this. Vrykul and Iron Dwarf fell quickly, and the heroes almost breathed a sigh of relief. They would have if it hadn't been for the frost giants that were patrolling the last room before Loken. They'd have to kill the two frost giants patrolling, and strategically the best way would be to pull one without alerting the other.
Looking at one of them Æsthr asked, "So Dran, do you have your slingshot?"
The shaman merely smiled and gestured for the warrior to get ready for the fight. Æryn reached down and found a small piece of the wall that had crumbled off. She gave her fiancé a look and then hurled the chunk of wall like a baseball. Her mark and aim were deadly accurate, hitting the giant between the eyes. If it had been a heavier stone, or if there had been more power behind the throw, the giant would have been felled there. Her intention was to make it come after her. Unfortunately the second giant noticed the attack and was stomping over.
Thinking quickly Æsthr and Mælorn headed after the second giant. Æryn and Cammy were redoing the trick from earlier. As the giant lunged for the dual wielding warrior, the paladin brought a smashing blunt trauma to the giant's ankle. Howling in pain the giant grabbed for its foot, also bringing the foot up from the floor. Æryn jumped on that foot and rode up as the foot was lifted. Then she jumped off bringing her own mace against the giant's kneecap. The blow cause a bit of coordination problems for the big being. Already favoring its ankle, the reflex on the other leg was to kick out. However with the leg holding up the full mass of the giant, all it ended up doing was falling on its backside. The two women didn't waste anytime, running along and on top of the fallen giant, they attacked. Two maces impacted the fallen giant's head, another sick crunching sound and wet sploosh. The giant moved not afterwards.
Æsthr and Mælorn's giant saw its fellow fall through teary eyes. Whether that was from care or from the two men's attack is never known. Æsthr had run up to the giant, a feat in full plate armor, launched himself into the air and bashed his shield into the giant's knee. The backhand attack caused the giant to kick out and back off. Unlike the other giant, this one did not attempt to grab its attackers. Instead it tried to stomp them into dust. That of course was find by Mælorn. As the giant kept raising and lowering its foot in failed attempts to crush Æsthr, the Night Elf made his way up the moving leg.
Grabbing handholds of armor and cloth, Mælorn continued up the giant. Æsthr was continuing his harassment of the giant. This gave the Night Elf exactly what he was looking for. Staring at the un armored nape of the giant's neck, and holding on for dear life with his left hand, he struck. His right handed blade pierced into the back of the giant's neck and into the spine. Had Mælorn known how close he had come to severing the spinal cord, it would have brought the Death Knight much pride. Off guard by the attack, the giant dropped to its knees, and was desperately trying to grasp at the pain in its neck. Æsthr didn't need to wait any longer, pulling his gun off his back, the warrior fired. The bullet hit the giant, reengaging the giant to the warrior. This time the giant did lunge at the Dranei, and as he landed his life ended. Æsthr had stood ready, and had expertly predicted where the giant's head would fall in the lunge. He stood there sword raised into the air, allowing the giant to impale its head as it fell forward. That was when the warrior let go of his blade and rolled to the side. The full impact of the fall let out a rumble and air rushed to escape from under the big being. Æsthr stood again just as the giant rolled over on its back, its last act in this world. Walking over to the fallen foe, he pulled his blade out of the giant's lower jaw. As he did the gore was horrible, the blade had hit an artery. The heroes did not stick around to see the aftermath, they knew what would happen, what had happened. Their whole reason to be here was now within their grasp. Loken sat on his throne, waiting for them. He had seen the battle, and they would be an amusing diversion. They had done very well to get through all of his lieutenants here in the Halls of Lightning. However if they expected an easy fight they were wrong!
The lines of the Lich King were infinite and the pathetic resistance of the living was laughable. Drakk'lon'ton, Troll Death Knight viewed the battle. Ever since his fall months ago at the battle of Light's Hope Chapel, or more precisely the fight that kept Kelon the hunter from warning Light's Hope chapel, he had dreamed of this day. Above him the airship of the cursed hunter was still flying around, however it was doing so much more slowly. Of its propellers, three were smoking from the strain and damage they had taken. More of the wooden deck was splintered, and burned patches littered the hull and deck.
Drakk'lon'ton's master still lay near the threshold of what the living would consider "death." Drakk'lon'ton knew that his master could never die, however he did need the blood of an ancient to heal his wounds. He had commanded the Troll Death Knight to bring him to the Halls of Lightning, it was time that Loken repay the power he had given him. Along with earning more prestige with his master, now Drakk'lon'ton had the added benefit of seeing Kelon the hunter destroyed. He wanted that honor for himself, to tear the Night Elf piece from piece. See that obstinate and infuriating being obliterated and wiped from existence!
The Valkerie shuddered under another volley of gargoyle attacks. Trinza was doing her duty, but even she was showing some battle wounds. Scales were missing from some areas of her bronze skin, and blood had clotting around those areas. From her wing movements, he could tell that she was tiring. Where they had been strong and steady, now they were off rhythm. They could not keep this up, moments would pass before they would be forced down. Kelon toyed with the idea of landing the airship, so far the Windrunner had managed to not be damaged by any attacks yet. However he had no delusions, if he set the Valkerie down, the Scourge would swarm it instantly.
Looking over the deck he was horrified to see that several of his cannons were blazing red. They had been fired so much they were heating up, if this went on they could warp, or worse jam. The hunter's mind was racing on how to keep up the pressure that his ship was doing, without destroying it. Definitely not one of the best situations he had found himself in. Then again Kelon was used to being in positions that many would have called insane or beyond reason.
Boulders hit the ship again, and the Valkerie began to list in the air. Kelon heard two of the propellers holding the ship up seize. Without those two it was possible to get to a safe harbor, barley. However there were no safe harbors nearby, and with the ship losing altitude quickly, he dared not transverse the gorge back to the Earthen camp. Instead he pulled as much power as he could get into the remaining engines. Kelon kept the ship up and aimed it away from Ulduar. He would at least keep his ship from becoming the death of the defenders below. The Valkerie was rocked by more hits from the gargoyles. The ship began its descent even faster, and nothing Kelon did kept it from crashing.
Ulan the Orc saw the Valkerie crash into the snow around the encampment. The ship slid on its keel over the snow, and away from the encampment where the defenders lay. Using his Far Sight spell, Ulan saw that Kelon was on the doomed airship. In complete stoic quality, the Orc watched as the ship crashed. He marveled that only a few pieces of the hull exploded out, and that the keel held. Whomever had designed the flying ship had designed it to be tough. The piloting kept the propellers from being damaged, Kelon though had been thrown forward. It was only by a miracle that Trinza was able to grab him before he slammed into the deck. Ulan smiled, that hunter always had the best luck.
"Outcasts!" Ulan yelled, "there is our friend and those are his enemies. Dive!"
The Outcasts of Azeroth, a guild of people that were kicked out of the Horde and the Alliance, turned their flying mounts. They dove towards the Scourge, attacking flying gargoyles and anything else that happened to be in their way. The cries of their victims and the crashing gargoyle bodies disrupted the Scourge. It also gave the defenders a brief respite. Outcasts flung magic, arrows, anything they could into the enemy mass. Like an angry nest of insects the Scourge bulged and massed, turning their attention to the new arrivals. Soon boulders and acid spit replied to the aggressive attacks of the Outcasts.
Kelon found himself standing in front of the wooden palisade where Nylak and Sil were. Overhead Ulan and the Outcasts were stirring up trouble for the Scourge. The hunter had no idea how Veronya had gotten in touch with his old friend, but it was a welcome sight. Pulling his bow from his back, Kelon knocked an arrow. Even with the air support from the Outcasts, the Scourge was still too numerous. It seemed that the Lich King had brought all of his forces. It sank Kelon's spirits, for in this bad spot, he was starting to see the battle as a lost cause. His only hope was that heroes inside the Halls of Lightning were successful in their mission.
The hunter fired his bow, then drew another arrow and shot that one as well. He volleyed his shots, sending out a rain of arrows onto the enemy. Ghouls, undead and gargoyles fell under his withering assault. A few tried for the hunter, but were felled by Nylak. Sunfire and Sil joined with Kelon, adding their blizzard and hurricane spells to his volleys. More Scourge fell, and everyone there hoped against hope that they could hold on just a bit longer.
Their spirits were lifted as the Scourge stopped their attack. That soon changed again, for stepping forward was the biggest Troll anyone had ever seen. Easily ten feet tall, making even Tauren and Dranei look up. The Scourge made a path for him, as if he were in command. Eyes that glowed unnaturally blue, eyes like a Death Knight. In his hand was a small tree trunk shaped into a primitive mace. The Troll looked around till he found Kelon, eyes narrowed in recognition.
"You hunter," Drakk'ton'lon growled, "are gonna die. Da rest of you throw down your weapons. Da Lich King make your deaths quick an' painless. Resistance be futile"
"Oh that's not going to happen," Kelon quipped. "I take it your boss is gone, and good riddance!"
Drakk'ton'lon evilly grinned, "Scourge, attack! Slay dem all! Wipe 'em out!"
The Troll Death Knight charged towards Kelon, and the hunter switched from his bow to his swords. He met the Troll, dodging the first swipe of the Troll's mace, and responded with a slash from his right hand blade. The sword strike skittered across the Death Knight's armor. The hunter was about to stab with his left hand when a cold clammy hand grabbed him. Looking back, a ghoul was salivating as it prepared to bite into his arm. Elbowing the ghoul to gain some mobility, Kelon reached around. Stabbing the ghoul in the eye, Kelon pulled his sword out just as he was thrown forward and his back blossomed into intense pain.
Drak'ton'lon had learned a lot in his original fight with Kelon the hunter. He wasn't going to duel this fool, he was going to let the Scourge overwhelm him. As Kelon killed the ghoul Drak'ton'lon had summoned, he took his chance. Slamming his mace into the back of the hunter, to his satisfaction Kelon went flying. The Night Elf landed hard, but immediately was trying to regain his footing. Another ghoul leaped up, thinking it had an easy meal. That ghoul fell down in flames as a fireball slammed into it. The Troll Death Knight activated his magic dampening shield. The spell would keep him safe from the Night Elf's mage friend.
Drak'ton'lon kicked Kelon while he was still trying to get to his feet. The Night Elf fell to the ground again, being rewarded with another armored boot to his side. The hunter yowled in pain, and the Troll drank it up. He raised his foot to stomp Kelon's chest in, barely missing as the hunter summoned enough strength to roll out of the way. The Troll turned to face his enemy, already Scourge were closing in around Kelon. Drak'ton'lon could hear the screams of the hunter's friends as they saw his doom coming. The Troll watched as Kelon used his swords as a crutch, getting back onto his feet. However the Troll was surprised by the fact that Kelon attacked the nearest ghoul, he had thought for sure the hunter was too hurt.
Winds started to whip around the Scourge, making their attacks slower. The gale force winds took up some and slammed them into other Scourge. Those that were not being thrown around found that lightning now blasted through the sky. The dark cloud above them rotated like a cyclone. That was not to be the last for the Scourge though. Fire erupted from the ground, burning many as they huddled together against the winds. Then ice dropped from the sky, like deadly shards of rain. Scourge were burned, buffeted and impaled under the onslaught. More replaced them.
Drak'ton'lon saw the mage that had been protecting the hunter. Using his Frozen Grasp ability, he pulled the female mage over to him. Stunned by the sudden movement, the mage didn't have time to fight as the Troll grabbed her by the throat. She struggled in his hand, trying to kick out of his grasp. Odd that her fear wasn't for dying, though he did feel her fear. Looking back he saw the staggering form of Kelon coming, then it made sense.
There was no moment of indecision, no worry of self preservation. The moment Kelon saw Sunfire in Drak'ton'lon's grasp, he willed his body into a flying missile. He slammed into Troll with all his weight, knocking the air out of his lungs. Drak'ton'lon was stunned by it and dropped Sunfire. Nylak ever alert grabbed her and brought her back over to the palisade. She burst into tears as the Troll got back up, but Kelon was still on his back wheezing.
Drak'ton'lon picked up Kelon, could see the pain in his eyes and mocked, "Feel it Hero? It be da Lich King's powa! It be stronger den your love for da mage, stronger den da Light! Dis world will be reborn in da face of death!"
"You talk too much," Kelon said weakly as he plunged his sword into the neck of the Troll Death Knight.
Drak'ton'lon screamed in agony, slamming Kelon into the ground over and over again. Finally removing his hand, he used both to pull the hunter's sword out of his neck. The wound was grievous and if he did not feed on life soon, fatal. He threw the hunter's sword away. Looking around, he looked for the mage. She would make a most excellent meal! She looked so young and sweet to his hungry eyes.
"Face me!" yelled Kelon, both swords back in his hands.
Death Knight and hunter studied each other. Drak'ton'lon was impressed, his adversary had the strength to continue. He would enjoy killing this one yet. Even as his body must be screaming for rest, knowing his death was near, he fought. If the obstinance of the Night Elf was so annoying, it might have been admirable. Still if the fool wanted a slow and painful death, Drak'ton'lon would oblige.
Through teary eyes Sunfire managed to keep the Scourge from reforming around the two combatants. She wanted nothing more than to help Kelon kill the demonic Troll, but with they way they were fighting, she could not get a clear shot for her spell. Together Sil and her were doing their part, a wide circle had been formed around the fighters. Now all that was left was to see who won.
Kelon and Drak'ton'lon slammed into each other. Two swords against two handed mace. Blows were exchanged, parried and blocked, neither backed down. Coagulated blood dribbled down the wound in Drak'ton'lon's neck. Blood and sweat drenched Kelon, sapping his strength. Drak'ton'lon swiped a beheading attack, missing Kelon by inches. The hunter responded with a slash that bounced off the Death Knight's armor. Drak'ton'lon brought around his mace, connecting with Kelon's midsection.
Kelon's side erupted in pain, and he felt a snap in his ribs. He rode it out, using the pain to put extra strength in his attack. The Troll looked triumphant, but that look was soon replaced by surprise. Kelon's right hand blade cut through the kink of armor around the wrist. It was where the bracer and the gauntlet were made flexible for movement. Steel bit through the wrist, lopping the hand off. Drak'ton'lon stepped back horrified, staring at his new stump.
Kelon didn't relent, he face twisted in pain he brought his other sword stabbed into the chest armor. As the blade pierced the armor, the hunter pulled the sword back. Drak'ton'lon felt another pain as Kelon's main hand sword sliced through his neck again. This time his head fell to the ground, where even his Troll regeneration could not save him. Then Kelon fell to his knees, swords still in his hands, but barely. He looked up to see the Scourge all around him, then felt a warm touch. It was Sunfire, she embraced him. Even despite the pain he didn't want her to let go. That was when an explosion rocked the area.
Inside Halls of Lightning, Æsthr, Æryn were surrounding Loken. Mælorn and Cammy were rushing to join them. Those two had been thrown back by Loken's Nova attack. The attack had sent out a pure energy pulse that nearly killed the paladin and Death Knight. Dranyon's healing had restored them back to full health, they would just need to watch for it in the future. More energy was not flowing between all five heroes, blasting them the further they were apart. So for the first time in the assault, all five beings were practically shoulder to shoulder.
Loken was never one to be impressed by the lesser species of Azeroth. He saw them as his to command, and his to do with as they pleased. The fact that he had played one of those lesser beings into helping him enslave his brother Thorim, made his belief strengthen. He watched the lesser beings in front of him scatter as he cast his Nova again. These pests were so easy to kill, and since his alliance with the Lich King, his power had increased ten fold. At this point, he was toying with them. He wanted them to think they had a chance, then they would die. What an amusing diversion.
Æsthr and Æryn were the first back, charging straight at Loken. Mælorn and Cammy were next, taking up positions behind him. Dranyon was the last, just walking up casually. The four others just looked at him incredulously, but he kept his pace. Even Loken was moved by the nonchalant manner the shaman was moving in. They need not worry though, totems started to drop. Suddenly the heroes felt faster, strong and more protected. The spells associated with those totems increasing their attacks, the power behind it and increasing the amount of damage they could take. The last totem that Dranyon dropped summoned a fire elemental to his side.
Æsthr smiled, could see the smile on Æryn's too behind her helmet. Loken was about to get bounced and the overconfident thug wasn't aware of it. The four heroes jumped and swarmed over Loken, smashing, slicing and stabbing away on the towering figure. Dranyon stayed on the ground throwing heals right and left, his elemental had joined the attack. Right now it seemed to be grilling Loken's skin as it attacked and climbed. To his credit, the big being didn't scream outright, but rather exclaimed in pain. The wail echoed in the large room, and Loken wildly tried to throw off his small attackers.
Loken was panicking. How had these small things managed such sorcery? No matter how he tried, he could not get the lesser beings off of him. He had managed to get a hold of the fiery elemental, only to burn his hand. He had managed to throw the fire thing away, only to have it come back again. The big being was trying to stomp it out, as one would do a very small fire. All he received were more burns on his feet. To make matters worse, one of the armored beings was had stabbed her sword into his leg. She was not using it as an anchor to attack his knees, trying to get him to fall. Another was using his two swords to literally climb up his back, and was hiding in-between Loken's shoulder blades. No matter if Loken had wanted to, he could not reach, it was a physically impossibly feat. All he could think of was one more Nova.
The attack succeeded in finally getting the heroes off his back, but Loken was not celebrating. Pain wracked everywhere, he could feel blood pouring out of wounds. The big being knew he was in trouble. He had underestimated these beings, that was something that would not happen again. Though he did not realize it, Loken was right, it never would happen again.
Before the heroes or Loken could reengage, an explosion rocked the throne room. Pieces of building, wall and ceiling, flew as the explosion produced a gaping maw in the Halls of Lightning. Sounds seemed to blur into one monotonous drone, it was a warbling distorted sound. As if the nature of sound itself was warped, making everything sound in a long whining drone. The heroes made it to their feet, but could not hear each other. Which was probably a good thing, what they saw come in from the maw made each curse. The Lich King stumbled into the throne room.
Outside Sunfire was tending to Kelon's wounds. He looked awful, blood was spilling out through his mouth and he cried out at any attempt to move him. Having learned some first aid from him, the mage was aware that most of his ribs were broken, and the blood was an indication of internal injuries. He needed to be portaled out, but with the pitched battle still going on, it was not safe to. Tenzin, Chenresig and Nylak had moved forward to protect the fallen Night Elf hunter. Overhead the Outcasts were still fighting with the Scourge, their numbers had been thinned by the ones forced to land. Those Outcasts had joined with the defenders and were bringing the hurt to the Scourge.
The only hope was the fact two groups of flyers were seen on the horizon. Nylak took out his spyglass Cammy had made, and identified the two groups. One was Alliance the other was Horde. Finally his spirits lifted, maybe, just maybe the two factions had learned to overcome their hatred and fight together. If so then this could definitely be over with today, the campaign in Northrend would come to an end. As they got closer though, the two groups took notice of each other. The two groups converged on each other, fighting the other side rather than the Scourge.
"Damn it!" Nylak exclaimed as the two groups slaughtered each other.
Sunfire looked up to see what had caused the normally reserved Death Knight to such language. When she too saw the Alliance and Horde fighting each other, with the Scourge bearing down on her and Kelon, she too felt horrified. Tenzin and Chenresig couldn't even joke, the tragedy was just too much. Even Veronya who was coming up behind the two factions felt utter helplessness.
"Loken," Arthas the Lich King said weakly, "I have given power, now I take it away."
Loken screamed as the Lich King grabbed him by the throat and drained the life force out of the big being. Loken, overseer of Azeroth, died on his knees after betraying the trust of the Titans. His skin paled and cracked, decomposing a century in mere seconds. The Lich King however was regaining his tone and strength as he did so. Once all the life was drained, Arthas threw the husk of a corpse down. He had not noticed the heroes, or did not care. Back through the open hole in the wall, the Lich King went outside.
"No!" Mælorn cried out. In front of him was the last hope for curing Veronya. "It's not fair!"
Æryn came up and put a comforting arm around him, even as the Night Elf fell the ground. Tears welled up in his eyes, he had failed her. Æsthr moved over to open hole in the wall, saw the desperate battle outside. Looking over, he knew he had to get his team out. The only problem was getting out. Between them and their ship was only an army of undead. Even worse, if his eyes were not mistaken, the Valkerie appeared to be smoking on the ground.
Cammy was the one to break the silence, "Æsthr and Æryn, wait here for a moment. Mæl, I have an idea follow me."
Curious the two Dranei warriors watched as the Human paladin practically dragged the Night Elf back into the depths of the Halls of Lightning. Dranyon had hung his shield on his back and had pulled his mace and axe out. His cloak was flowing in the wind, and looking at him, his sister and fiancé knew he was itching for a fight. He had seen the fallen airship of his friend, now no amount of Scourge were going to get in his way of seeing his family to safety. Moments later, Cammy and Mælorn returned. The Night Elf didn't seem to be as lost as before.
Æsthr didn't wait, he immediately led them outside. They skirted around the main body of the Scourge, who had not noticed the heroes yet. The few that did found themselves obliterated between holy, unholy, strength and rage as the five fell upon them. They made their way, finally getting through the main body. However that left them right at the front, right were all the fighting was. The heroes were tired, worn out, and now all that was promised was more fighting. Still all five charged forward, at least they would have the element of surprise.
The Lich King made his way through the fight. Fully restored he would see this world finally be remade. First however, he sensed a familiar presence. It was the fear he followed, but like the last time they had faced off, it wasn't for self preservation. Arthas waded through, slicing two defenders down without any effort till he stood before his quarry. The pleasure the Lich King felt was indescribable. There was the cursed hunter, and he was near death. His poisoned arrows would not be a factor this time.
"So hunter," Arthas gloated, "It seems I will have you yet as my champion. To think of your heroic fight, and what for. I am restored and you are hardly in any shape to defy me!"
"No, but I can!" growled Sunfire as she let loose with a volley of Frostfire, fireballs and pyro blasts.
Arthas shrugged them off, only a few got through his armor. It was not enough to damage him, just enough to make him mad. Backhanding the mage, he saw her fly backwards and land in a heap. She glared at him, her face reddening both in anger and from his hit. Leaping back to her feet, she immediately threw a Cone of Frost at Arthas. He parried that attack and responded with a shockwave that threw her against the palisade. She impacted with the wooden posts, pain flaring up everywhere and her breathing was haggard.
"So weak! How can anyone stand against death itself…" Lich King began but soon was interrupted as something he had not seen did attacked.
"By love and life," Veronya answered, "something that these fine people have shown me."
The Blood Elf rogue and ambushed Arthas, her daggers digging deep into him. His armor could not stand up to the steel of her weapons. The same ones that had been crafted by Æryn per Kelon's request. She continued to fight, slicing, stabbing and kidney shotting Arthas in a flurry of movement. The wound from before was sapping her strength, yet she would not give up. They had been put into this position trying to cure her, the least she could do was fight alongside them. It didn't hurt that she had found Kelon's stock of poison in the down airship.
"How is this possible, only the hunter had that accursed poison," demanded the Lich King. "What did he do?"
"You are asking a rogue how she came upon something that was not hers?" asked Æryn, just not getting onto the scene.
Æsthr replied to his fiancé's jest, "Well he is the Lich King, not the knowledge king."
"It is not matter," Arthas growled, "you will fall nonetheless! You only delay the inevitable with your foul sorcery."
During the exchange, Ulan and another Outcast had flown straight at the two warring groups in the sky near Ulduar. Behind them were a swarm of angry Scourge flying units. As they neared the two groups, Ulan fired a Chain Lightning attack at the Horde. The other Outcast, a Dwarf, flung a magical hammer just over the head of the Alliance. Both attacks were not meant to harm, or kill, rather to get the attention of the two groups. Angry both groups stopped fighting long enough to turn and see the two Outcasts. Then Ulan and the Dwarf flew between the two groups, allowing the Scourge to divide Alliance and Horde. This time it was in a good way, as both groups reengaged combat. Alliance and Horde fought Scourge, maybe not united, but not totally divided as well.
Ulan then made his way back to where the Lich King was. Behind him were the combined forces of Alliance and Horde. The Scourge were soon surprised as the combined might impacted into them. Finally for the first time in the whole day, the numbers and momentum flipped to a more balanced position. However for the fighters who had been there since the beginning, most of them were on their last vestiges of strengths. If the battle did not end soon, their last legs would fall out from underneath them.
Sunfire was getting to her feet, slowly. The Lich King's blow had knocked her senseless. Now she was pleasantly shocked. The Blood Elf rogue was keeping the Lich King busy, and the arrival of the Æsthr, Æryn and Dranyon made her hold out hope. The final arrival of Alliance and Horde was putting pressure on the enemy. So the Human mage was not worried as she ran to pull Kelon out of the way.
She was intercepted by a gnome warlock, "Mage, I have no more strength for casting. If you can cast this spell, cast it now." The warlock held up a spell book opened to a specific spell.
Sunfire read the spell, it was easy enough to cast. Using all her ability she cast the spell. A violet light split the sky, thunder bounced off the mountain peaks, and on a far peak an avalanche formed. The violet light hit the lich king, then splintered out impaling all the Scourge. The light acted as a spider web, connecting each Scourge to one another. The light backed in on itself, heading back to its origin. Once back to the Lich King, the light began to spread out, coloring in the lines with pure light. The Lich King howled, but could not fight anymore as the light solidified into crystalline structures.
The Scourge and the Lich King were encased in a banishment crystal. Arthas was screaming, but no sound escaped. The fighters all breathed a sigh of relief as the battle faded. Many collapsed into sitting or laying positions from fatigue. Others came up to the crystal, as if to touch it. The crystal though disappeared slowly as it faded out. The battle had come to a close, and though not the victory that the fighters had hoped for, it was a victory. If not a bit bittersweet. Sunfire knew that the Lich King would return, and her love might not be there the next time to face him.
Sunfire had kneeled beside Kelon again, comforting the Night Elf. His eyes were dimmer, his strength waning. His wounds were taking their toll, even as Dranyon and Cammy pooled their healing powers. All their abilities were not helping though, and it was becoming apparent that their attempts were going to be in vain. Kelon needed immediate medical attention, Sunfire attempted a portal, but failed. The banishment spell had taken too much out of her. She tried again, knowing full well that it could kill her, when Cammy stopped her.
Magic in general used the will and life force of a person. When a mage uses their spells, it comes out of their strength of will. After the fight like today all of Sunfire's prepared will as gone. That only left her own life force to draw on, but the paladin didn't want yet another sacrifice today. Instead she and Dranyon ran over to the fallen Valkerie. Looking over the fallen airship, Cammy and Dranyon went to work repairing it. It took only an hour to do a quick fix getting the engine for the propellers working again. Another hour was taken to unfreeze the propellers. In that time heedless healers came to keep Kelon alive.
The gnome warlock from earlier now stood by Sunfire, "He dies, and slowly. Normally I would ask for payment, but the fact that I respect the power he wields, I'll give it to you. There is a spell in my spell book that will put him into a coma, a state of suspended animation. I use it to slowly drain the souls out of my enemies."
"Why would I want to do that?" asked Sunfire shocked at the Gnome.
The gnome just looked up and calmly said, "Because he is going to die if you don't."
Sunfire reluctantly nodded, and performed the ritual, "How do I bring him out of it when it is time."
"He will come out of it when he is healed," answered the Gnome. "Now that it is done tell him that there will be no more freebies." With that the Gnome walked away.
Sunfire gazed on Kelon, he seemed so still now. His breaths came in long deep intervals. He wasn't dead, but he wasn't all in the world of the living either. She felt like crying, but just didn't have the energy for it. She was barely able to remain standing. It was only a warm hand on her shoulder that brought her back from the depths of exhaustion. It was Trinza's, in her Half Elf form.
She guided Sunfire to where Sil was busy making a potion. Mælorn was there with her, looking like a nervous father to be. Sil was working fiercely and quickly, using beakers that had been in her laboratory on the Valkerie. She mixed in herbs from across Azeroth, finely powdered now after she had worked them. The last thing she added was two blood worms from Mælorn. Mixing the ingredients, the druid alchemist was rewarded with a red, blue then purple glow. The cure was complete.
When Cammy had pulled the Death Knight back into the depths of the Halls of Lightning, she had had an idea. Loken was an ancient, but he had been killed by the Lich King. However Volkan was of the same race, and they had killed him. She led Mælorn to the body and immediately the resourcefulness and genius of the paladin was evident. Calling his blood worms, he had them feed on the corpse of Volkan. The blood was still fresh, then they had rejoined with Æsthr and Æryn. Taking the vial from Sil with a hurried thanks, Mælorn raced over to where Veronya had gone to rest.
Veronya was sitting on a box, using it as a stool so she didn't have to sit in the snow. The wound from being stabbed, throbbed. It felt like a lifetime ago, but in truth had been much shorter. Looking over at Kelon, she could not draw on the feelings of hate or contempt she had felt on the airship. Nor could she look at any of the Valkerie's crew with anything other than respect and admiration. Even as Kelon lay dying, Sil had kept her promise by immediately working on the cure. Now with Mælorn walking up to her with a big smile on his face, she knew it had been finished.
"Give the elixir to the hunter," she said, unselfishly giving up her chance so that he may live.
Mælorn looked hurt for a moment, but then regained his composure, "Sorry V, but it only works on ailments, Kelon is severely wounded."
"Just give it here," Veronya said a little too angry. She grabbed the vial and drank the liquid. "Sorry Mæl, I didn't mean to snap at you."
"Yeah, Kel seems to grow on people," Mælorn sighed.
Veronya continued on, "Except you, why is that?"
"Because till I found you, I hated him for having a life snatched from me. Now I understand I was the thing keeping me from that life, now I can't hate him anymore," Mælorn went over to Veronya, bent down and kissed her.
They sat watching Sunfire, Mælorn finally able to see what his life again and Veronya feeling strange. It started so small that she had put it off as a side effect of the elixir. Then she felt a burning through her blood, like it was boiling in on itself. Shaking uncontrollably, the Blood Elf fell the ground. There in a fetal position her whole body felt like it was coming apart. Mælorn was right by her, not sure whether to stop her jerky movements or let her be. He did not have long to wait, her shaking fell off and instead a warmth took over Veronya. It was a warmth the Blood Elf had not known since she had been a small Elf child. It was so beautiful, so innocent, so pure that she cried. Mælorn picked her up in his arms, and she looked at him. She looked at him with pure green eyes, no longer the glowing demon magic addicted eyes of a Blood Elf. The elixir had cured her of all unnatural ailments, including her mana addiction!
Trinza was still consoling Sunfire as the Valkerie lifted off into the air again. It was making loud noises from damage still not fixed, but it would fly. Cammy brought the ship around and landed it. As the ship set down, its crew began to surround it. The boarding ramp was moved to allow access to the ship. Dranyon made his way down, looking tired and haggard. The next feat was to get Kelon aboard, and then to help.
Sunfire walked over to her fallen love, "Warriors of the Light, who will carry this being?"
Ulan, Æsthr, Æryn, Dranyon, Nylak, and Mælorn stepped forward. A litter was brought from the inside of Valkerie's medical bay. All six picked up the litter after Kelon had been rolled onto it, and walked up the ramp to the airship. A crowd watching the event was solemn. Not a noise stirred as Kelon was brought aboard. Many took off their helms and put them over their chests, a salute to a fallen warrior. As soon as Kelon was in the bay, Æsthr and Æryn left to gather their own airship. Mælorn left last, Veronya on his right.
Now that Kelon was in state of suspended animation, the main focus wasn't getting back to Dalaran, but rather Darnassus. There the Night Elf healers could attempt to save the hunter. It would also give Cammy a chance to repair the Valkerie, giving her something to do while her friend lay at death's door. The Windrunner accompanied them, flying right beside them. Because of the damage to the Valkerie, neither ship could use the portal generators on them. So during the long flight back to Kalimdor, the crews of both would visit with each other.
The journey was uneventful, occasionally rider of Gryphons or Windriders would fly up in formation to show their appreciation. Then as the Great Sea came into view the voyage turned into a lonely one. Yet the crews of both ships went about their routines. By the time the great tree city of Darnassus came into view, Cammy had even fixed all the mechanical problems on the Valkerie. All that was left now was the replacing of the damaged hull and deck. She looked down at the swiss cheesed hull, down to the waters below and sighed.
Sunfire was at Kelon's side, had hardly moved since he had been put in the medical bay. Her head rested on his chest, she listened to his heart beat, very slowly. Reality fell away as the Human mage fell into a deep sleep. In her sleep the mage Sunfire dreamed, she dreamed of a green place, an Emerald Dream. There she and Kelon were together again, and she was happy.
Kelon stood in a place that looked like home, the home where he had grown up. There were some differences though. Everything here had a green hue, the sky, the water, the land all of it was green. The hunter walked around, looking at everything. It was what his home would have looked like, if there had never been any inhabitation. How he knew this, he wasn't too sure, but he just knew it.
This had to be the Emerald Dream. He had heard about it from the druids, a place where the original blueprint of Azeroth left over for the Aspects to have for their uses. The druids had been given it after the War of the Ancients, where they had spent centuries as payment for their immortality. With that gone the druids still used it for mediation, however in the last few years it had become dangerous. A Green Dragon had been corrupted while it slumbered, turning the Emerald Dream into a nightmare. All of this ran through Kelon's mind as he wandered around his old home.
"You're right" said a disembodied voice, "it has become dangerous. Thanks to adventurers like yourself though, we have been able to reclaim small bits of it at a time."
Turning to face the voice, but not seeing it, "What am I doing here? I'm no druid."
"That is right," the voice said. "You are though someone of interest. Wounded in battle in a losing fight, countless survivor of battles when most would have been killed. You my friend are notoriously hard to kill, and your will to live hasn't been seen in just anyone."
The voice was going to say more but was interrupted, "Kelon! It's you! And you are o.k."
Sunfire came up and hugged the Night Elf, passionately embracing her love. Kelon hugged her back, glad to have a familiar face. They stood that way for a long time before a cough interrupted them. Out of the green came a Night Elf dressed in the clothing of an Arch Druid. Antlers sprouted from the Night Elf's head and his beard and hair were as green as a forest.
"It seems that you two have a stronger connection than it seems," stated Malfurion Stormrage.
"Arch Druid Stormrage," Kelon said, immediately bowed in reverence.
"Get up," Malfurion said embarrassingly, "I am no more important than you. However by bringing you here, I seem to have left the door open for your loved one as well."
"Why did you bring me here?" Kelon asked, hoping for some answer. He knew how badly he had been hurt in the fight, knew of Sunfire's choice to suspend him in animation.
"As you know Kelon, I can't give what you don't already have," explained Malfurion, "it is a balance in nature. The gift I now show you is one that you already possess, though not as you know it."
"What gift is that?" this time from Sunfire.
Malfurion waved the two to follow him as he led them. In front of them images from their life flared into view. All the battles they had won, all the fights they had survived. They saw friends and family, the loss and return of two worlds. They saw the rebirth of Azeroth in two different visions. The first was a grand vision where light and peace reigned over the whole of Azeroth. Where the races of Azeroth were able to live in peace, turning their weapons to plowshares. The second was one where death overtook the world, turning it into a gray and lifeless thing. The only races there were undead and demonic.
"What you see can be," Malfurion said, "but that depends on you. It is your heart that decides your future."
"I am not important, my life is just one of many people," Kelon countered.
Malfurion seemed to smile at that, "Nor was I important when I fought against the Burning Legion. I had wished for so many years to repay for the lives lost with my own. No, you are important to those who care for you. Just as this young lady does." The Arch Druid waited for Kelon to look from Sunfire back to him before he continued, "Though history chooses us for greatness, it is our actions that give history that testament. Your actions Kelon Drakynheart is that you have the heart of more than a dragon. You have the heart to be a phoenix. To return from the flames of destruction anew. That is your gift, and your salvation."
"I only wish to return to my friends, and to Sunfire," Kelon said, absorbing what he had just been told.
"Then hold onto that, let it guide you back when you leave the Emerald Dream," Malfurion explained, "Oh and Kelon, if you find yourself in the Temple of the Moon, tell Tyrande I love her."
"I will," Kelon said with a salute.
The hunter disappeared from the Emerald Dream, leaving Malfurion alone to wander and watch over his people. The Arch Druid could rest assure though that everything was in good hands, and now he could get back to finding his way out of the Emerald Dream. Just as Kelon wished only to be with Sunfire, Malfurion only wished to feel Tyrande's presence again. How he wanted to bask in her scent, feel her touch on his skin. That was put on hold, but at least he could return one back to his love.
Sunfire awoke with a start, then screamed, "Cammy, land the ship! Land the ship now!"
Cammy on the deck immediately sent the Valkerie into a deep dive, heading straight for the water. She brought the airship up just above the waves, skimming just inches off the water's edge. Finding a safe clearing of earth to land on, the paladin brought the ship in. Because Darnassus was on top of the second World Tree, the crew had bypassed it to fix the Valkerie first. While the ship was being worked on, Sunfire and Sil would bring Kelon to Darnassus. Now on the edge of Dark Shore, the ship landed just north of Aurberdine.
As soon as the ship was settled, Cammy came down to the medical bay, "What's wrong? What happened?"
Colyn and Sil were next, followed by Nylak. They were all looking at the hysterical mage. Sunfire didn't worry about that, she had been with him, had seen him. Now his skin was burning up, becoming hotter with each passing breath. She remembered an Arch Druid and something called the Heart of the Phoenix.
"Quickly get him out of his armor," Sunfire shouted. Then to Colyn, "Get his breeches and tunic, hurry!"
"Sunfire, what is wrong?" Cammy asked again, trying to understand the other woman's necessity.
"He's alive, he's alive," was all that Sunfire could say.
Rather than arguing with the mage, Cammy and Sil helped with getting Kelon out of his armor. Then even helped her to bring the hunter out to the clearing. Both paladin and druid were astounded by the heat coming off their friend. It was so bad by the time they placed him down on the ground, their hands and arms were scalded. Cammy looked over at Sunfire. The mage was holding her breath, hoping this was a good thing, and not that warlock's trick.
As Colyn caught up to them, Kelon's fresh cloths folded in his arms, he was taken aback. The hunter was lying on the ground, smoke and steam coming from beneath and around him. As they watched it intensified, till the grass and leaves around him burst into flame. The crew of the Valkerie dared not step a foot forward, the heat was already becoming unbearable where they were at. Running up behind them, Sunfire made out the crew of the Windrunner. They had set down in the waters, and Dranyon had water walked them over.
The crowd gasped as flames burst into the air like jets of pure fire out of a volcano. The fire started as a central column, then spread out. More and more the fire burned hotter, more fierce. The more heat produced the more the flames took shape, looking more and more like a grand phoenix being reborn out of the ashes of its dead body. In fact those who were in attendance could almost swear they heard a phoenix's cry. With one final push, the flame phoenix burst into the air. It flew around the forests before swooping back around and crashing back in on itself. Then the fire started to die out slowly, till it was all but gone. At first burn marks marked the spot, but they too started to regrow.
The crowd, blinded by the display, slowly made their way to where Kelon had laid. As their eye sight returned, Kelon was missing. Where he had been, there was nothing except regrown wild grass. At this point the poor family of Kelon's, that was what they had become in their travels, were too astounded to question anything. In shock they spread out to find their missing friend, yet like the very beginning, it was he who found them.
"Umm guys," Kelon said sheepishly. "Can ya throw those clothes over here?"
"Kel!" Dranyon was all to happy to see his friend, "Is that you? You are o.k.?"
"Stop!" Kelon was jumping from bush to bush.
"What's wrong?" Dranyon asked, but then got elbowed by his sister.
Æryn explained, "He's naked bro."
"Oh!," Dranyon immediately was embarrassed at his friends situation, "Oh! In that case here ya go."
Throwing the clothes, Dranyon turned back. Moments later Kelon emerged from the forests, looking just like he always did. Sunfire ran to him and they embraced, in fact his whole family came forward to give him one giant bear hug. They all cheered, and Kelon tried to explain what happened, Sil barraged him with questions about Malfurion. The three Dranei were ecstatic as they heard his tale, it had touched something in them. They had lost so much in their fight, and for a miracle like this to happen to a friend, it made some of what they had endured a little easier. The night was spent in celebration.
The next morning, Sil and Cammy collaborated on how to best fix the Valkerie. Using Cammy's instructions, Sil communicated with the wisps of the forests on what to work on. The wisps went into the forests, bringing back wood to fix the damage taken. Since the wisps only took a little bit from a wide set of trees, they never killed a tree or felled it. Instead this harmonious way of building was how the Night Elves had created all their buildings. The wisps were also tireless in their efforts, that was why in a week all the damage had been fixed. The Valkerie was once more at ship shape, and ready for flight through anything. It was at the end of this week that Dranyon, Kelon, Sunfire, Æsthr and Æryn met.
"My friend what is your course now?" asked the shaman.
Æsthr interjected, "We are being asked to Stormwind, King Varian wants to give us all medals."
"Or slap us into cuffs for aiding a Blood Elf," Æryn said bitterly.
"After Stormwind, I believe its time that my crew and I take a break from war," Kelon wanted to keep thoughts of King Varian's hatred of the Horde away. "We will go and explore the rest of Azeroth for a while. We all have been through so much, but in the end the Alliance and Horde will continue to drag this out by fighting amongst themselves." Then looking at the three Dranei, "You and your crew are welcome to join us as well."
"Our place is at the front for the moment," Dranyon stated.
Æryn backed that up, "Yeah, someone has to smack some sense into the forces there to fight together."
"Then if you need the aid of the Valkerie," Kelon said, "you know how to get in touch with us. If you do decide join us as well, we will be looking for more allies."
Æsthr stepped forward and gave the Night Elf hunter a strong hug, "Do not worry Broski, we'll keep everything in one piece for you till you return."
The three Dranei watched as Kelon and Sunfire left, going back to their ship. The Valkerie lifted off, heading to Darnassus. Kelon still had a promise to keep, and a Priestess of the Moon to see. Dranyon went back down to check on the Windrunner, allowing the two remaining Dranei some peace. They watched the Valkerie, still amazed at the flying ships, and how lucky they were to travel the winds.
"Æryn," Æsthr was still looking off at the vanishing airship, "let's get married now. No more waiting, no more hoping for the world to be at peace. We have only these bare few moments to cherish.
Tears were in Æryn's eyes as she looked upon her fiancé, "Then we live for the moment? We live for each other? No more of the waiting?"
"That is all we truly have, I was a fool for not doing this sooner," Æsthr replied.
"Not a fool," Æryn said as they kissed, "just my love."
They too soon began their journey. The wedding of those two great warriors is for another tale. For the moment legend spread across all of Azeroth of the Heart of the Phoenix. Horde and Alliance all passed along the story, until no one but those present would have recognized it as the story of Kelon's family. Instead names were given or created, but in the end the story, the legend became popular. It brought light and hope into the heart of all who heard and read it. In the end, greatness is not judged by the person who lives the life, but rather by those who come afterwards. So let it be with the Phoenix Heart, also known as Drakynheart.
